Page 59 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

I squeezed Sheridan’s hand. “Are you okay?” I whispered.

She gave me a tired smile. “Darling, that is a loaded question. Let’s just say, there is hope.”

Hope for what? I didn’t get a chance to ask as we were inundated again. It seemed to be that way all night until the party was over. As tired as I was, I kind of dreaded it ending. It meant I had to face Tristan, who I’d caught staring at me most of the night. All while Brant had stared at him with a cold gaze, as if he were his enemy. Not sure why. Despite what anyone said to the contrary, Brant had made it clear he wasn’t interested in me. He hadn’t even said hello to me tonight. I tried not to let it get to me, but it stung. Why the herculean efforts to help me when he didn’t even want to be around me? Yet another Holland mystery. I should have never agreed to go into business with him, but it was too late now. Chalk it up as another Kinsley mistake.

Sheridan put her arms around me. “Darling, I’m exhausted. I hope you don’t mind if I leave.”

“Not at all. Thank you so much for all your help. I feel bad that you missed most of the party.”

“Honey, I love a good party, but I’ve been to more than my fair share. I had a great time with you. Let’s plan to get together later this week to start discussing renovations.”

“That would be great.”

She pulled me tighter and whispered in my ear, “Darling, don’t judge him too harshly. He has noble reasons for avoiding you.” She gave me one more squeeze before letting me go.

I stood, frozen. What did she mean? Why was avoiding me noble? I would ask, but I knew I wouldn’t get a straight answer. It was vexing me to no end.

She gave me a knowing look, as if she were aware of the frustration that was brewing inside of me, ready to boil over the top. Honestly, I wanted to scream out that somebody needed to give me answers. Then Tristan appeared.

Sheridan gave him an appraising once-over. “I hope you have a nice flight home.” I think that was her way of saying “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” She patted my cheek. “Be careful, darling. Good night.” Though she was polite, she’d made her point. She was team Brant.

I was team Oscar, all the way.

“Good night.” I waved at her retreating figure.

Tristan wasted no time sweeping in, though he looked a bit abashed. “Your family and mates are all less than thrilled I’m here.” His gaze drifted toward Sheridan, who was heading in the direction of her family and mine. Every eye was on us. Even Aspen and Miles were gawking at us. It was awkward, to say the least.

“What did you expect?”

He took my hand and held it up between us. His touch no longer brought the comfort it once had. “Kinsley, I know I’ve been an insufferable arse, but this doesn’t have to be the end, does it?”

My eyes darted between him and our audience. One person in that audience stuck out to me more than anyone. He always did. Why was that? I knew why. He was my dream. A lofty, ridiculous dream, but my dream nonetheless. And sometimes he made me feel as if that dream could come true. Like the way he was looking at me now. The way that said, “I see you; I want you.” I wanted to cry out and ask him if he really did. But it bothered me that it wasn’t until the large crowd and the press were gone that he could acknowledge me. What was so noble about that? Regardless, it didn’t change what I needed to do.

I pulled Tristan toward the children’s corner in the back of the bookstore. No need for an audience. By the time we made our way over, the brightness of Tristan’s smile indicated that I had given him some hope. I hadn’t meant to.

I peered into Tristan’s warm eyes one last time, just to make sure I was doing the right thing. I saw a glimpse of me in them, but it wasn’t the real me. It was the me I had let him see this past year because I’d needed the crutch. I’d played the role of party girl and someone who was only looking to have fun. And our time together had been fun. But I needed more. “Tristan,” I sighed. “It’s never going to work out between us.”

He ran the back of his hand down my cheek. “Darling, how can you say that?”

Runs and talks with Brant ran through my head. I was always myself with Brant. The good, the insecure, the silly, the dreamer. “Did you know I keep a Hula-Hoop under my bed?”

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