Chapter 12 Travis
Travis
I find her in the kitchen, hair twisted up in some sort of knot, humming softly as she manipulates what looks like a cast-iron skillet. She's wearing yoga pants and an oversized long-sleeve shirt, one that looks a lot like Knox's. The sleeves rolled up to reveal flour-dusted forearms.
"That smells incredible," I say quietly, not wanting to startle her.
She turns, offering a smile that's still shy despite everything we've shared. "Dutch baby pancake. Or at least my version of it. I'm adding gruyère and thyme to make it savory-sweet."
"Fancy."
"It's actually easier than regular pancakes." She pours batter into the hot skillet, the mixture sizzling on contact. "The oven does most of the work. Plus, I wanted to use some of that beautiful cheese from Klaus without making another fondue."
"How very executive of you… considering our supplier relationships."
She laughs, sliding the skillet into the oven. "Don't start. William already sent me three emails about 'optimizing ingredient usage' and it's not even seven."
"He's up?"
"His light was on when I came down." She starts cleaning up, efficient movements that speak to years of professional kitchen work. "He hasn’t come down yet though."
"He's sulking."
"He's processing," she corrects gently.
I move closer, needing to touch her. "How are you doing? Really?"
She leans into me slightly, just enough for our shoulders to touch. "I'm... confused. Happy but guilty. Excited but terrified. I feel like I'm being selfish, wanting all of you."
"You're not selfish. You're human."
"Humans are supposed to want one person, Travis. Not three."
"Says who?" I turn her to face me. "There's no rulebook for this. We make our own rules."
She searches my face. "And you're really okay with that? Sharing?"
Before I can answer, Knox bounds into the kitchen like an overgrown puppy. "Something smells like heaven and—oh." He takes in our position, me holding Carina, her hands on my chest. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt."
"You're not," Carina says, but she doesn't move away from me. "Breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes."
Knox grabs coffee, shooting me a look I can't quite read. "Hey Trav, want to check out that new ski run map? I grabbed one yesterday."
It's clearly an excuse, but I play along. "Sure."
We leave Carina to her cooking and head to the living room. Knox closes the door behind us, then turns to face me with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"We need to talk."
"I figured." I sit on the couch. "About Carina?"
"About Carina." He runs his hands through his hair, making it stick up even more. "Look, I know we... and you two have... and this whole thing is..."
"Complicated?"
"Fucked up is what I was going for, but complicated works." He sits across from me. "I like her, Trav. Really like her. But I know you do too, and you were first, and—"
"This isn't about dibs, Knox."
"I know. I just..." He looks genuinely stressed. "I don't want to lose you as a friend. You're the only one who's ever seen me as more than William's screw-up little brother. But I also can't stop thinking about her."
"You don't have to stop."
He blinks. "What?"
"We both care about her, why should that be a problem?" I lean forward. "Look, traditional relationship rules don't apply here. Carina's been through hell with her ex. She needs to feel desired, valued, free to choose. We can give her that."
"By sharing her?"
"By not making her choose." I consider my words carefully. "She responded to you the other day—I'm not blind. But she also responds to me. And even though he's being such an ass, she has a connection with William too."
"Will's different," Knox protests. "He wants to own people."
"He wants to protect what he cares about. He just doesn't know how to do it without being controlling." I pause. "But that's a problem for later. Right now, I'm talking about you and me."
Knox stares at me. "You're seriously okay with this? Me being with her too?"
"I'm okay with Carina being happy. If that includes you, then yes."
"How are you so calm about this?"
"Because fighting over her won't solve anything." I think about yesterday, watching them ski together, seeing her light up at his encouragement. "She's different with each of us. With you, she's brave and spontaneous. With me..."
"She feels safe," Knox finishes. "I've seen it. The way she relaxes around you."
"And we both know what she could be with William if he'd get out of his own way."
"Challenged. Pushed to be her best." Knox shakes his head. "When did you get so wise about this?"
"When I realized fighting it would mean losing her entirely." I meet his eyes. "So here's what I propose: we support each other. No jealousy, no competition. We're honest about boundaries and respectful of her choices."
"Like... a team?"
"Exactly like a team."
Knox is quiet for a moment, then grins. "William's going to lose his shit."
"William's already lost his shit. But that's he’s going to have to figure that out."
"So if she's with me one night and you the next..."
"Then we're both lucky men who don't ask questions."
"And if she wants both of us at the same time?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Then we're very lucky men who better communicate well."
Knox laughs, tension draining from his shoulders. "You know, most friends would punch me for sleeping with the woman they're interested in."
"Most friends have never had a conversation this real." I stand. "We good?"
"We're good." He stands too, then surprises me by pulling me into a hug. "Thanks, Trav. For being... you."
"Anytime." I clap his back. "Now let's go eat before Carina thinks we're plotting."
"Aren't we?"
"We're strategizing. There's a difference."
The Dutch baby pancake is, predictably, perfection. Golden and puffy from the oven, topped with caramelized apples and that gorgeous gruyère melted into the edges. Carina serves it with a bourbon-maple syrup she apparently whipped up while Knox and I talked.
"This is insane," Knox moans around a bite. "Like, illegally good."
"It's just eggs and flour," Carina demurs, but she's obviously pleased.
"It's art," I correct. "The way the cheese balances the sweet apples, the hint of thyme..." I trail off at her expression. "What?"
"Nothing. You just... you actually taste it. All of it."
"I pay attention."
"Yes," she says softly. "You do."
Knox clears his throat. "So, uh, Will joining us this morning?"
"I texted him." Carina's face falls slightly. "He said he had calls."
We all know it's an excuse, but no one says it. Instead, we eat and talk about plans for the day. Knox wants to paint. Carina needs to work on some additional requirements for Klaus. I have financial projections to review, but they can wait.
"Go for a dip in the hot tub with me later?" I ask Carina quietly while Knox loads the dishwasher. "After you're done with work?"
She looks between Knox and me, understanding dawning. "You two talked."
"We did."
"And?"
"And we're good. More than good." I touch her hand. "This is your choice, Carina. Always."
Her eyes shine. "Okay. Yes. Later."
The morning passes quietly. I actually do review those projections, losing myself in numbers and possibilities. Eden Provisions is growing faster than even William anticipated, and Carina's additions to our product line will continue that growth. Speaking of which...
My phone rings. Klaus.
"Travis! Guten Tag! I hope I'm not interrupting?"
"Not at all, Klaus. What can I do for you?"
"It's about Carina's descriptions for the gift boxes. They're wunderbar! Poetry! The board is so impressed they want her to write all our marketing materials."
"That's flattering, but—"
"We'll pay, of course. Consultant rates. She's too valuable to lose to another company, ja?"
I smile. "I'll discuss it with her and William."
"Just with her," Klaus insists. "This is her talent, her decision. That's the future of business, Travis. Recognizing brilliance wherever it lives."
After we hang up, I sit back, considering. Carina's value is being recognized externally now, not just by us. That changes things. Makes her position more secure but also more complex.
I find Carina in the kitchen around sunset, finishing up prep for tomorrow's meals. She's changed into a soft sweater and leggings, her hair falling loose around her shoulders.
"Busy day?" I ask.
"Productive," she corrects, washing her hands. "The descriptions are done, and I've planned meals through Wednesday."
"Klaus called. He wants to hire you as a consultant."
"What?" She turns, eyes wide. "But I work for Eden."
"You can do both. It's actually smart business." I lean against the counter. "You're becoming invaluable, Carina. To the business and to us."
"I just write nice descriptions."
"You see food as more than sustenance. That's rare." I move closer. "Klaus isn't the only one who's noticed. I've had three suppliers ask if you'll consult on their marketing."
"Travis..."
"I'm not trying to pressure you. Just want you to know your worth." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "In all areas."
She shivers at the touch. "Is that why you wanted to talk? Business?"
"Actually, I was thinking we soak in the hot tub now. You've been working all day—you must be tense."
"I don't have a swimsuit," she says, but there's heat in her eyes.
"The deck is private. And it's dark." I let the suggestion hang between us. "Unless you're not interested?"
"I didn't say that at all." She bites her lip. "Give me ten minutes?"
"Take your time."
Fifteen minutes later, I'm already in the hot tub when she appears on the deck, wrapped in one of the plush robes from her bathroom. The steam rises around me in the chilling night air, and stars sparkle overhead.
"Second thoughts?" I ask when she hesitates.
"No. Just..." She laughs nervously. "I wasn’t kidding about not having a swimsuit. I'm in my underwear."
"Carina." I keep my voice gentle. "You're safe with me. Always."