Walking up to the house, I pulled my phone out and sent Tristan a text.
Me: Done for the day. I miss you.
Not even a minute later he responded.
Tristan: Phone sex?
Laughing, I slipped it back into my pocket and headed into the house. I set my bag down on the chair in the foyer as I heard Joyce and Peter talking. Walking into the kitchen, I had my finger over my mouth. Joyce’s eyes lit up as she made her way over to me.
“Oh my darling, Kathryn!” Pulling back she looked my body up and down, just like you would picture your mother doing as she made sure you were in one piece. “He has no idea you are coming. Let me tell you something, that boy has been grumpy. It’s safe to say he missed you.”
Walking up with his arms extended, Peter gave me the sweetest smile. “He missed you a lot, sweetheart.”
Kissing Joyce on the cheek and then Peter, I looked around the kitchen as I took in the smells through my nose. “You made my favorite!”
Joyce gave me a wink, “Of course I did. Now the boys are on the back porch. Go put that son of mine out of misery and let him know you are here.”
Glancing to the back door, I asked, “Boys?”
Peter went to the stove and started the pot of water for what I was guessing was for the pile of homemade pasta sitting on a plate. “Chris is with him.”
“Oh right, Tristan has been talking a lot about Chris. I’m glad I get to meet him.” Looking at them both bustling about I asked, “Did you um . . . need any help in here?”
Turning and looking at me, the both wore shocked expressions. “Kathryn, go see Tristan, sweetheart.”
Smiling, I gave them a polite nod and headed to the back door, anxious to see Tristan. Pulling it open, I walked through the screened in back porch and to the back deck. My stomach dropped when I heard Tristan’s voice. It filled my body with warmth instantly.
Standing up, Tristan turned to Chris. “Yeah, maybe I should talk to Ryn first about this.”
Peaking my curiosity and giving me a good excuse to make myself known, I pushed open the door and asked, “Talk to me about what?”
Tristan turned and looked as did his friend, Chris. I couldn’t help but notice the smile that spread across Chris’s face. Looking at Tristan he seemed confused at first, but then he gave me that grin that had changed my entire life less than two years ago. It was dark, but I swore I saw his green eyes light up.
“Ryn, you’re . . . baby, you’re here.”
I quickly moved to him and he had me wrapped in his arms in seconds. My heart slammed against my chest. I don’t think I would ever be able to explain to Tristan how his response in seeing me just erased any doubts and fears I had about our relationship.
I heard it in his voice. I saw it in the expression he wore on his face. I felt it in the way he was holding me. This man loved me and needed me as much as I loved and needed him.
Pulling back, he cupped my face within in his hands. “You’re here.”
Grinning like fool, I could only whisper, “Yes.”
Tristan pressed his lips to mine as he kissed me. I was still very aware of his friend Chris standing there. When Tristan pulled away, my eyes went to Chris.
Tristan stepped back and looked at Chris who was standing there with a smile on his face. “Sorry, Chris.” Glancing back to me, Tristan wrapped his arm around me. “This is my Ryn.”
My Ryn.
Walking up to me, Chris held out his hand. Shaking his hand quickly, I began to talk. “Tristan has been talking a lot about you. Y’all were good friends in high school, right?”
“Yes, we were. It’s a pleasure finally getting to meet you, Ryn. I’m not sure how you did it, but you managed to tame the wild child.”
Looking into each other’s eyes everything seemed to have fallen into place in that very moment. Tristan leaned in and said, “Best surprise ever.”
Placing my hand on his bicep, I needed control. My knees wobbled and I was sure everything was spinning while I stood perfectly still. “I hope so.”
Tristan and I were caught in a trance, neither of us pulling away. I felt as if I could see my entire future within in his eyes.
Clearing his throat, Chris clapped his hands, causing us to break free from the hold. “Well, this was fun, but I think I’ll head out.”
“You don’t have to leave on my account,” I said as I took a step back from Tristan. I needed to create space between us before the heat grew more.
Tristan chuckled as he pushed Chris toward the door. “Yeah, he does.”
