Page 47 of The Road Less Traveled By

Vince only chuckles under his breath. “If I ever feel it, I’ll let you know. Now, what song do you wanna scream-sing to on the way home? I can put on your usual playlist if you want.”

“That works.” I smile as he turns on the playlist, and I see him mouth some of the words on the way back as I quietly sing to myself.

That alone makes the pull toward him stronger. He knows me better than I know myself some days, and he even joins in on some of the ridiculous things I like to do when I’m stressed or in need of a pick-me-up.

But no matter what, we’ll never cross that line. No matter how pulled I feel towards him, I’m going to have to sever that string at some point.

At some point.Not right now, though. I want to hold on to the end of my line a little longer because it feels good to pretend. It feels good to daydream that when I pull it toward me, Vince will be at the other end of it, waiting with a huge smile on his face.

Maybe in another life, I say to myself.

Chapterseventeen

— DIE FOR YOU BY THE WEEKND

As I sit downacross from Tristan at our usual restaurant, I notice that his face is paler than normal, and he’s all sweaty.Is he sick?

“Hi, Bree!” He gets up to hug me, but I hold my arm out at him.

“Are you sick? We could’ve rescheduled, you know.” Tristan and I hang out together, just the two of us, once a month. It’s something we started doing when he and Liv got back together, and I’ve loved it. It helps to get me out of the house and see a familiar face.

It also helps that Tristan and I have some common ground—his grief, my life as a whole.

“I’m not sick, Bree. Just nervous.”

Nervous?“Does lunch with me really make you that scared?” I don't even have to wait for him to answer because I know it does. Ralph running wild is making all my favorite people not want to be around me—especially in public, and I don’t blame them.

“No, but what I have to talk to you about does.”

“Okay, let’s sit down and talk then.” I motion for him to sit back in his spot, and before he does, he pulls my chair out for me. “Always such a gentleman, Tristan.”

“You know how I like to maintain the image, Bree. Plus, it’s fun seeing that bodyguard of yours squirm while he sits in the corner.”

I move my eyes to where Vince is sitting, his eyes currently scanning the restaurant like he always does before they lock onto mine for a few seconds. Tristan’s voice filters into my ears as I tear my gaze away from Vince.

“He doesn't squirm.”

“Oh yes, he does. Have you seen those pictures online? In every single shot, it looks like he’s ready to kill someone.”

“He’s just doing his job, Tristan.”

His eyebrows raise at me. “And you feel safe with him?”

Safer than I do with anyone else.“Yes, I do.”

“Then that’s all that matters. Even if he scares the shit out of me, at least you feel safe with him.”

I laugh at the fact that Tristan is afraid of Vince. He may look all broody and scary on the outside, but he’s still the same guy who helped me melt chocolate and cut my strawberries. Vince is a secret softie, but I’d never tell anyone that. I’d hate to ruin his image.

The server comes over, and since we always sit at the same table—in the back, away from most people—she doesn't even have to ask for our order anymore. Tristan and I are officially regulars at this cute restaurant a few minutes from home.

“So, why are you so nervous? I’m on the edge of my seat here.”

“Well, uh…I don't exactly know how to come out and say this, so I guess I’ll just blurt it out.”

Oh, he better not have done something stupid.“Okay…”

“I came to ask for your blessing because I want to marry your sister.”

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