Page 61 of Finding Michael

“No, but you stunned him. My family never thanks him—which is sad. We should.” Tristan hurried into the building, then the open elevator car. “I forgot how many manners I don’t have.”

“If I said something wrong, then tell me.” Manners or not, he didn’t want to embarrass anyone. “I’m not good in these situations.”

“Better than me.” Tristan pinned Michael between his body and the wall of the car. “I should learn a few things from you.” He brushed his nose along Michael’s. “Now for the hard part. Just…don’t run away.”

“Oh?” His heart sank and his stomach soured. “Why would I run away?”

“Well…convincing my butler I’m not in love with him won’t be easy and, if there’s more to the story like I think, it’ll get complicated fast.” Tristan let go of Michael. The belldingedand the doors opened. He marched into the penthouse.

Michael wasn’t sure what he’d expected from Tristan’s New York home, but the high-end items weren’t a shock. Maybe it was the sparseness of the space or the lack of character. No framed photos or trinkets from vacations. Nothing was out of place. Just cold, boring functionality in the form of futuristic furnishings.

“You don’t like it.” Tristan grinned. “Back when the stuff was delivered, I liked it, but I’ve come to realize I’m more of a country chic kind of guy than I thought.” He tossed his keys onto the plastic table. “Dennis?”

“Tristan.” A man with at least fifteen years on Tristan breezed into the room. He didn’t wear a suit or even a dress shirt, just a polo shirt and jeans. The look certainly didn’t scream butler to Michael. More like father-figure or friend.

Michael lingered back a few paces to stay out of the way.

Tristan embraced Dennis. “It’s good to see you, old man.”

“I’m thrilled you’re here. Shall we get down to business?” Dennis clapped his hands. “Is this my replacement? He’s a bit young and too pretty. We should look elsewhere.”

Tristan met Michael’s gaze, then scrubbed the back of his neck with his palm. “Dennis, I’m not replacing you.”

Good for him,Michael thought. Tristan had backbone, but sometimes refused to use it. Besides, something about Dennis annoyed Michael, but he couldn’t figure out what.

“You don’t honestly think I’m going to be the bottom? I’ve cleaned up after you for long enough. It’s someone else’s turn.” Dennis folded his arms. “Correct?”

“You’re right,” Tristan said. “I agree.”

“But not him,” Dennis said, clipping his words.

“I’m too pretty.” Michael hadn’t planned on saying those words, but they slipped out before he could take them back. “Story of my life.” Not really. Hearing himself described as pretty was laughable. Passable maybe, but not handsome.

Dennis faced Michael. “Then whatareyou doing here?”

Michael held out his hand to Tristan. “I’ll allow Tristan to explain.” After his last outburst, it was best if he let Tristan handle the situation. “Tristan?”

Tristan sat on the arm of the couch. The slender strip of wood bit into his backside. Why in the hell had he purchased such ugly furniture? Because he’d had his aunt telling him it was the best. He’d guess she got a cut from whoever sold it, or at least a discount on her own stuff.

“What’s going on?” Dennis met Tristan’s gaze. “What’s he talking about?”

“I should ask you that.” Tristan folded his arms and glanced back at Michael for a moment before focusing on Dennis. “I’m here. The book will be submitted for first edits next week and I’m still not done going through my uncle’s house. I have commitments in Sullavan.”

“But you belong here. Hire someone to deal with the house,” Dennis said. “I need you.”

“Why? I’ll get you another job with someone else. I’ll bet my aunt can use you.” He’d be better off there anyway. Tristan didn’t want a butler in Sullavan. He wanted time with Michael and a new, quiet life.

“Your aunt isn’t you.” Dennis reached for Tristan, then recoiled. “Come on.”

“I’m glad I’m not her.” He shuddered. His aunt drove him crazy.

“We’re supposed to be in this together.” Dennis grabbed Tristan’s hand. “You and me.”

“Why?” He pulled away from Dennis. “You’re expecting more from me than I can give.”

“You don’t understand. I love you,” Dennis said. “Have since I hired on.”

Tristan crooked his eyebrows.Shit.He’d seen this coming, but hearing the words out loud still rocked him and not in a good way. “Denny, you don’t love me. Cody loves you. Why not stick with him?”

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