Page 13 of Cru's Crush
“I don’t know that much about it. All the buildings on Uncle Tryst’s ranch were built the same way.”
“Very cool.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Brix shouted up to us.
“On our way,” I responded. “So, what do you think?” I asked as we made our way downstairs.
“It’s an amazing house.”
“Do you think you’d want to live in it?”
Daphne was in front of me, so I couldn’t see her face or her reaction. When we reached the second-floor landing, she stopped. “Are you sure about this?”
My eyes scrunched. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I might cramp your style. You know, if you wanted to have someone over.”
I had no interest in anyone other than her, so it wouldn’t be a problem for me. Would it be for her? “Is that what you’re worried about? I mean, that I’ll cramp yours?”
She shook her head. “The weirdly awkward conversation is back.”
“It doesn’t have to be. A simple no works.”
She folded her arms and raised a brow. “Does it?”
“Yes, Daphne. Or rather, no. You won’t be cramping my style.”
“Neither will you.”
Brix talked moreabout the house, as well as the one they were building in Mexico, over dinner. “Every time we visit, Tryst has added another room,” he joked.
“That may be my fault,” said Addy. “I would really miss this dining area.”
It was off the kitchen and had garage doors made of glass panels that could be rolled up, making it an outdoor space, or left down like they were tonight, when the weather was chilly.
It was difficult for me to stop myself from gazing at Daphne. I could stare at her for hours, but when she closed her eyes and kept them shut, I couldn’t look away. What was she thinking about? Beau? Some other guy? Why was it never me?
I could feel someone else watching me and turned toward my brother. He frowned and shook his head.
4
DAPHNE
Ishut my eyes for what I intended to be a brief moment, imagining Cru and I sitting out here, enjoying a glass of wine in the evening. Maybe he’d reach over and touch my hand. Or invite me to join him on the sleeping porch upstairs. Perhaps we’d lie next to each other and he’d stroke my hair like he had after taking me to the emergency room in New York City. I thought about how it had felt when he held me in his arms the day he found me.
When my fantasy about Cru morphed into memories of the man who’d locked me in a room, I opened my eyes. Cru, Brix, and Addy were all staring at me.
“Sorry,” I said without explanation. My plate was still half full of food, but I wasn’t hungry. In fact, if I’d tried to eat more, I likely would’ve become nauseated. “Can I help?” I added when Addy stood to clear her plate and Brix’s.
“Let us do it,” said Cru when his brother stood.
“I don’t mind enjoying such a nice evening,” said Addy, sitting down. “I’m definitely going to miss this place,” she murmured once the guys were inside.
“You could always stay.”
“Have you been to Tryst’s ranch?” she asked.
“I haven’t.”
