Page 67 of Twisted Fate

“Oh. Well, yeah,” I mumble.

“Would you like to join me for breakfast?”

I catch my lower lip between my teeth and lean against the wall, trying not to smile. “I don’t know, Tristan.”

“We can order room service. I know you love the chef’s French toast.”

Talking to this Tristan throws me off. It’s different from having a conversation with the leader of the dark fae. Times like these, I can pretend that he’s just a guy asking me to breakfast. Which makes it difficult to say no.

I sigh, a grin touching my lips. “You do know your audience.”

“I’ll see you soon,” he murmurs.

I throw everything I’ll need for tonight into a suitcase and head out.

I arrive at the Westbrook Hotel half an hour later and scan my ID card to get in the back door. Skylar hooked me up with it a couple of weeks ago so I wouldn’t have to come in through the guest entrance and get let into the office. Now I can get into the building through any door.

I fidget with my phone on the ride to the office and step off the elevator to find Max sitting at the desk.

“You’re here early, blondie,” he says.

I nod. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“I see. I think Tristan’s in his office.”

“Great,” I say. “What are you doing here this early?”

“I spent the night at Oliver’s and didn’t feel like going to my place when I knew I’d have to come here later on anyway.”

I arch a brow. “You stayed at the dorm? Things seem to be getting pretty serious with you guys. You haven’t known him that long.”

His eyes narrow a fraction. “Say what you’re thinking, Aurora.”

I shrug. “I’m a bit concerned, is all. He’s one of my closest friends. I’m looking out for him.”

“Do you think I’m going to hurt him?”

I shake my head, recalling how he looked at Oliver the entire time we were at the bar. “No, I know you won’t, but there are so many things he doesn’t know about this world that could hurt him.”

“We’ve barely hung out, blondie, so chill,” he says with an edge to his voice.

“All right, I’m not trying to piss you off, Max, but you can’t blame me for showing concern for my friend.”

He rolls his eyes. “Whatever.” He turns back to his computer, and I don’t exist anymore.

I shake off the bad mood talking to Max for five minutes causes and walk down the hall to Tristan’s office. I knock a few times and let myself in. “Tristan?” I call, glancing around.

“He’s still upstairs,” Skylar says as she walks in from the connecting conference room.

“Oh, hey. I’m, uh, glad you’re okay.”

She nods, her lips almost forming a smile. “Thanks. Tristan is waiting for you.”

I nod and walk back to the elevator and ride up to the penthouse.

“I thought we said breakfast at the office, Tristan. I told you, I don’t think—” My voice stops working when my eyes land on Tristan in the kitchen with nothing but a towel tied dangerously low on his hips. My mouth goes dry, and I have to swallow several times before I can speak again. “What...are you doing?”

He grins slowly, enjoying my reaction to his all but nakedness. “Making breakfast. Turns out I make better French toast than the chef downstairs.”

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