“I’m not letting another second go by without telling you something.”
My eyes searched his face as I whispered, “Okay.”
Closing his eyes, he slowly shook his head. “This isn’t how I wanted to do this, Ryn.”
Swallowing hard, I asked, “Do what? Tristan, are you okay?”
His eyes snapped open and they searched my face. “No, baby. I haven’t been okay since last year.”
Oh my. He called me baby. Oh wow, his lips are so close to mine.
“Ryn, I can’t wait any longer. With my dad having a heart attack and us not knowing . . .” his voice cracked and I placed my hands on his arms.
“Tristan, he’s going to be okay. I feel it in my heart.”
His eyes moved up and locked with mine. The same look appeared in his eyes that was there the night he told me he was falling in love with me. “I love you, Ryn. I’ll love you forever.”
The air completely left my lungs as I tried to process what I just heard.
Tears built in my eyes as Tristan cupped both his hands to my face. “Please tell me I haven’t lost you forever, Ryn. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Opening my mouth, I fought to control the feelings rushing through my body. I was scared to death for Peter, yet at the same time, I’d never felt so alive and amazing. Then there was the guilt for feeling that way while Peter fought for his life.
Slowly shaking my head, I placed my hands over Tristan’s. “Tristan, I love you too. I’ve never stopped loving you.”
Before I could utter another word, Tristan’s lips were pressed to mine. He kissed me like he was never going to be able to kiss me again. Our kiss quickly turned passionate as Tristan’s hands moved all over my body.
When we finally needed air, Tristan pulled his lips back and dragged in fast shallow breaths. Leaning his forehead against mine, he said, “As soon as we find out Dad is going to be okay, I’m taking you out of here and making love to you as soon as possible.”
I felt such a release from my body. It was as if everything bad vanished from one single kiss. The phone in the elevator began to ring. Tristan turned and pushed the stop button back in and the elevator began moving again.
Glancing back to me, his beautiful green eyes held my blue eyes in such a gaze, I felt as if I would combust from his stare.
“I promise to never again in my life hurt you, Ryn. I swear.”
My hand ran along his chest and up behind his neck. Pulling him closer to me, I leaned up and pressed my lips to his. The elevator doors opened and I pulled back some. “I’m going to hold you to that, Williams.”
Pulling me out of the elevator, Tristan walked us to the cafeteria. I wasn’t sure how I should be feeling right now. I was elated. My stomach was doing all those crazy dips and spins as we walked together, Tristan holding my hand and gently brushing his thumb across my skin.
Then, I’d think of Peter and I wanted to cry. I wasn’t sure how much longer my body was going to be able to hold up to all of this stress and the emotions that went along with it. From yesterday’s episode to getting lost in the woods, Tristan yelling at me, Tristan asking me to stay, then Peter’s heart attack. Ugh.
“Stop thinking so much, Ryn. It’s all going to be okay, baby.”
Smiling, I nodded my head. I knew he was right. I felt it in my heart that his father was going to be okay. Tristan held onto my hand the entire time we ordered the five coffees. Pulling out his wallet, Tristan paid for all the coffees then handed me one of the carriers. I couldn’t help but smile like a silly schoolgirl. The fact that he wouldn’t let go of my hand had me all kinds of giddy.
Walking back into the waiting room, Lark and Azurdee looked up. Azurdee’s eyes went right to Tristan holding my hand. She smiled and looked into my eyes. Turning, she bumped Lark’s shoulder and tipped her head toward Tristan and me.
Lark smiled and nodded his head. Tristan let go of my hand to get his mother’s coffee and handed it to her. Her eyes were so red and swollen from crying. I sat next to her and took her hand. Smiling, she leaned over and kissed my cheek. Then she whispered, “I knew he would come around. He loves you very much.”
My face blushed and I stole a peek at Tristan. He was gazing at me with such a loving expression. My heart soared and I returned the look. I never dreamed I’d be standing here with Tristan gazing upon me like I was his everything. I silently prayed this feeling would never end. This feeling of love was like nothing I’d ever imagined.
The door opened and a doctor came walking out. Everyone jumped up. Azurdee and I stood back as Joyce, Lark, and Tristan made their way up to the doctor.