Page 56 of The Sweetest Risk

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Jen says, and then scolds my brother. “Bradley, just leave him alone. It seems like he wants to turn over a new leaf and I think that’s great.”

My lips curl at the way Jen’s words hit my brother like a ton of bricks. She definitely can hold her own around my brother. Unfortunately, Bradley wants to push things. “So is there…someone special?”

Tristan’s grip on my knee tightens. My heart has never beat so fast in my life. “Actually, yes,” he says. “But it’s pretty new and before you ask…it’s no one you know.”Phew, we dodged that bullet.

“Anyone up for dessert?” I say as I get up, causing Tristan’s hand to leave my thigh. I can still feel the imprint of his hand seared into my jeans.

“I think anyone would be crazy to turn down your famous soufflés, B,” Tess responds.

In the kitchen, I take the ramekins off the baking sheet and wipe down the bottoms before placing them on the counter.

“I’m always up for some dessert.” Tristan apparently followed me into the kitchen. He leans in and kisses my cheek. “But I think you already knew that.”

“Are you trying to get caught?” I whisper through my teeth. I place the soufflés on a serving platter and hold it up to Tristan. “Can you handle taking these to the table, Hot Shot?”

He effortlessly swipes the tray from my hands and makes his way over to the table. I can’t resist checking him out as he walks away. His ass looks so good in those sweatpants, he is making it harder to breathe.Act normal, Brooke. Act like you hate his guts rather than want to yank him upstairs to his bedroom.

Everyone digs in. Tess is the first one to break the silence: “Oh my god, B! These are amazing!”

“Thanks! I used dark chocolate this time and I think I prefer it this way. It’s not as cloyingly sweet.”

“So, are you back to dating anyone, Brooke?” Bradley asks out of the blue.

“Who are you, Gossip Girl? Why are you so interested in who people are dating all of a sudden, Brad?” I ask, with a hard-to-miss annoyance in my tone.

“It’s just a question, Brooke. Calm down. You seem a little happier lately. Well, except for right now, since you are looking at me like you want to kill me.”

“Tell him, B,” Tess slips out. Her hand covers her mouth immediately. Now she is the victim to the daggers coming out of my eyes.

“Oh really? Who?” Bradley looks intrigued.

“It’s nobody,” I respond curtly.

“Wait, is it the same guy that was in your apartment a few weeks ago?”

Tristan adjusts his seat and clears his throat. I glance over at him and he has the biggest smirk on his face. I swear we are going to get caught.

“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes.” I am just going to tell a version of the truth instead of coming up with a complete lie. I look back at Tess and she is mouthing,I’m sorry.

“Where did you meet this guy?” Bradley asks in a protective tone.

“At a professional development I had to attend in February.” I stuff my mouth with the souffle. “Actually, he was the presenter. We got to talking after and we went on a few dates.”

“Why didn’t you introduce me when I came over that night? Did you think I was going to put the fear of God in him?”

Tristan full-on laughs. I kick him under the table.

“To be honest Brad,” Tess chimes in, “I think he could actually take you. He may look a little like Clark Kent, but there is definitely a case for him having a Superman-esque quality to him, too. I mean, from what I could gather from his presentation at the school.” She winks at me. Okay, she redeemed herself and her description of Tristan looking like Clark Kent is absolutely comical since she has no idea that Tristan wears glasses occasionally.

“Well, when are you bringing this guy to Sunday dinner? I am sure Mom and Dad would like to meet him, too.”

“Soon. Maybe. I don’t know. It’s still kind of early to really tell if he is going to stick.” I pause because part of what I am saying is true. “I don’t want to jump into anything too fast. It’s scary to jump into a new relationship. But, I can tell he is a decent guy. I think it could really go somewhere.” I brush my fingers against Tristan’s leg to reassure him that I am completely in this and although we are keeping our relationship a secret for now, I don’t want him to doubt what we have or how I feel about him. I clear my throat and continue, “Plus, I don’t want him to undergo a Beckett Sunday dinner too early. I don’t want him to be scared off by Mom’s invasive questions, or yours for that matter, Brad.”

“I know all too well what those dinners are like as an outsider of the Beckett family bubble. Y’all are truly intimidating.” Jen looks over at me and nods. “Let Brooke date whoever she wants to date. She deserves to find the same happiness that we foundin each other.” Then she focuses her eyesight on Brad: “In other words: butt out of it, honey.”

26

It is a perfect night to go out to the hot tub and drink wine. Tess and I are surrounded by trees, and the Edison bulbs hanging above the massive cedar-planked deck make it all the more relaxing and magical. The stars are so clear and bright, which is not something I am used to. All the city lights in Dallas disrupt the view of the stars. The mountains are silhouetted on the horizon and the base of the range is illuminated by the small town below. The world is quiet–and after that chaotic dinner, it’s exactly what I need.

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