Page 36 of In the Grey of Dawn

Working my way back toward the checkout, I've got the cream and just need to get some garlic and chicken stock for the potato gratin, maybe some chocolate for later. Who am I kidding, definitely some chocolate for later.

I may not be the most motivated cook in the world but I do know how to make a few things really well and potato gratin is one of them. Reaching past a man who's hovering awkwardly right next to the seasonings I need to get, I end up bumping his arm a bit causing him to turn, a hiss coming from him as he does. Asorryfalling from my lips.

“Tristan? Oh, I didn't recognise you with your hair changed. You've bleached it?” I question.

“Charlie. I didn't see you there.”

His face transforms from a deep scowl to a radiant smile almost instantly. It's a little unnerving how he reacted to me bumping into him. He looked ready to eat me and then a second later he's acting like my best friend.

“It’s been a while since we bumped into each other. We still need to sort a coffee date out. Hopefully in between all theearthquakes we've been having,” I jab, trying to lighten the mood a little.

His smile seems strained, like he's on edge. “Is everything alright? You look a little out of sorts?” I ask.

“I'm sorry, I've just seen a guy I used to know.” He says, his eyes darting all over the aisle. I'm not entirely convinced he's not on some sort of drug or having a psychotic break. “He hurt me and my family really badly and it’s put me into a bit of a spin. I think I'm just going to leave. I’ll be seeing you soon enough anyway.”

An almost grimace-like expression overcomes his face. It's like he knows he should be smiling but his emotions are fighting the urge to let it happen.

“Do you want me to walk out with you? In case you bump into him? My boyfriend is waiting for me at the checkout and we could all go together.”

I can't help but take a deep breath, knowing I used the word boyfriend and not hating the way it sounds. Secure in the idea, that at least for right now, he's mine.

“Ha. No. Bye Charlie, have fun with yourboyfriend,” he says, definitely scowling now. I have no clue how this conversation has turned south so quickly. Ace told him I was taken so I'm not sure why having a boyfriend is suddenly an issue.

Unless… Porter is the person he was talking about.

Tristan practically runs down the aisle away from me, before I can ask him anything further, and I'm left a little dumbfounded over what just happened. He's been so happy and easygoing each time I've bumped into him, but maybe I've read the situation completely wrong. Ace did say there was something off about him.

Heading toward the checkout, I see Porter's face drop from a smile to his cute little angry frown. He has no idea how adorable he looks when he's trying to figure out what's happening. I would argue he's maybe the one guy, other than Dimi that makes me smile when he's angry. I wouldn't even call it angry really. They’re like these cute little toddlers who get frustrated when things don't go their way, except they’re grown men which makes it all the more funnier.

“What's wrong? You came out of the aisle with a look on your face. Did something happen?” he asks, putting the basket of food on the floor and taking my shoulders in both hands, rubbing up and down my arms.

“Nothing, I just bumped into this guy who moved to town recently. The scientist guy, I'm sure I told you about him ... he was saying he saw someone he used to know and I guess things didn't end well. He just seemed a little off is all.”

“Did he do something to you?” he growls, his jaw clenching.

“What? No, it wasn't like that. I can handle myself if I need to, remember,” I say grinning up at him.

“Just because you can handle yourself doesn't mean you should have to. I'll fight to the death for you Charlie. No one will survive the hellfire I'll bring.”

His eyes are so intense, it's almost overwhelming. I want to pull him close and run away all at the same time, but a part of me can't help but want him more and more when he’s like this. Hoping for just a moment he will tell me his secrets and I'll understand where it all comes from.

“Come on you big dork, everything’s alright, you're being dramatic. He was just having a bad moment and it threw me off a little. No need to come out guns blazing, and what even is hellfire anyway,” I say, rolling my eyes at him as I wrap my arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug.

I can't help but go up on tiptoes to whisper in his ear, heat in his eyes when he looks at me. “Let's go and celebrate a healthy baby with our friends. Enjoy some good food and some even better company ... and maybe if you’re a good boy I'll give you some dessert later when we're home.”

I desperately want to give in to the idea of a fun night in with friends and their future little bundle of joy, but as I look around the store a final time to see if I can spot Tristan, there's this niggling feeling I just can't shake.

Chapter 21 - Charlie

Ihave almost an entire week off and I have nothing to do but help Porter out at the bar. Dante and Ace leave for their mission in a few days and he insists on taking care of Mila by himself. If she takes a turn then he’ll contact me but because we all seem to think she's gone through the worst of it and the baby is strong and growing perfectly, it's okay for me to step back for a few days.

It's a bit ridiculous to say but for the most part I forget that Dante and Ace are putting their life in danger when they go away like this. They just seem so invincible and the more I've gotten to know them the less I can see them in that war type environment, let alone accept something might happen to them.

It's a weird thing to send your loved one out the door in the morning and know somewhere deep down that they might not come home because of the job they do. I can't even imagine what Mila or Nova feel because I'm only on the outside looking in. Sure, I care for them both but I'm not in love with them.

It's so obvious that Nova and Ace are soulmates, I can't even fathom the reasons why they aren't together yet, and it'sclear to anyone with eyes that Dante and Mila are a match made in heaven.

Porter on the other hand is safe and sound at the bar. I know he can handle himself. His scowl alone can stop men in their tracks so I don't have to worry about him like that, but I still do.

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