Page 98 of A Love Like That

He leaned back in the chair, dragging a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter.”

“The hell it does. I want to know what was said.”

He clenched his fists and stared at the flames, a fire raging inside him. Seeing how tormented he was, I softened and went to his side.

“Tristan?”

He ran a hand over his mouth. “It’ll only make you madder.”

My body tensed, and I could feel my blood pressure rising. The only reason I was able to stay calm was because I was focused on comforting him.

I reached out and touched his arm. “Hey,” I said. “I’m on your side, yeah?”

He continued staring at the fire, a muscle in his neck twitching. “I don’t want there to be sides. I don’t want you to have to choose.”

“I would always choose you.” I held his gaze. “You and the kids. Over and over again and for always.”

He was quiet for long enough that I finally glanced away, wondering if I’d said too much. Did Tristan realize how I felt about him?

“I know, Elle. It’s a big reason why I—” He cleared his throat. “It’s something that I love about you.”

Wait. No. Back up. Was he going to say he loved me?

“I need to ask you something,” he said while I was still reeling. “But I don’t want you to feel like you have to say yes.”

“O-okay,” I said, the word catching in my throat.

Was this it? Was he going to ask me to stay?

“If anything ever happens to me, I want you to be their guardian.”

I stilled. Was he… “You’re serious?”

He nodded. “I know it’s a lot to ask. And I hope it’s never necessary, but I know how much you love Savannah and Maddox. I know you’ll always take care of them. I trust you more than anyone to raise them—”

“Yes. Of course,” I blurted. “I’m honored.”

Maybe he hadn’t professed his love, but this was…this meant so much. He wanted me to raise his children if something ever happened to him?

I was touched. That he believed in me. That he trusted me to place them in my care. Though I hoped it never came to that.

The idea of losing Tristan was… I shook my head. I couldn’t think about it. It was too painful.

“Thank you.” He sighed, some of the fight going out of him. “That puts my mind at ease, especially after my conversation with Gloria.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “What conversation?”

“Apparently, she’s concerned about the children and my ability to parent them.”

How dare she.I stood. “Oh,hellno.”

I headed for the door, but Tristan grabbed my arm. “Elle, stop. It’s not going to help anything. If anything, it’ll make the situation worse. We don’t want to give her any ammunition to take them away.”

“Take them…” I gasped, a sharp pang in my chest stealing my breath. “Away? What?”

“She’s not going to. I won’t allow it. But her threat rattled me. I’m going to talk to Audrey to find out what basis, if any, Gloria’s claim would have.”

“After all that you and the kids have been through…” I seethed. “I cannot evenbelieveshe would suggest such a thing.”

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