Chapter 15 Paula
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
paula
Last night was fun. Pierce didn’t bring up the winery once. I forgot what it’s like to unwind with my family. We’re actually a pretty lively bunch when we’re not fighting amongst each other.
I’m feeling all the booze this morning, though. The will to leave my bed is long gone. I roll over, expecting to find an empty space beside me, but Tristan is there. Still sleeping. His face is relaxed, and he’s softly snoring. Why is this man so adorable?
Never did I imagine I’d have these feelings for someone. I mean, I think I knew it could happen one day. But when we set out on this ruse, I never imagined actually falling for him. It seems too soon for him to completely turn my life upside down. Relationships are supposed to take time.
I remember Mom telling me Dad pursued her for months. She played hard to get so she would know he was serious about her. Apparently, Dad had a bit of a reputation before they got together and she was not messing around with her heart.
Tristan is nothing like that. He’s been nothing but kind and considerate since I met him months ago. I’ve been the one consistently pushing him away, despite the sparks I felt hanging out with him that first night.
Ugh, this is why I don’t do relationships. They make me question everything I thought I knew about myself.
“You look like you’re contemplating your life choices.” Tristan slides his arm around me, pulling me to him. He kisses my forehead and smiles down at me. “Good morning.”
This may be my new favorite way to wake up. I’m in so much trouble. “Morning. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“No. I’ve been awake probably three times already, but I keep forcing myself back to sleep. Are you thinking about how bad of an idea it was to stay up until three drinking with your brothers? I know I am.”
“No, I was barely buzzed.” I snuggle into him. “I was thinking about us, and possibly freaking out a little bit.”
“Why? We’re still the same people, we’re just officially dating now instead of it being a performance.”
How pathetic will I sound if I tell him I’ve never actually dated anyone? Not even in high school. “Because I’ve never done this before. I wasn’t lying when I said relationships weren’t my thing.”
“Well, they are now.” He glances toward the window and the sunlight peeking through the blinds. “Do we have to be anywhere at a specific time today?”
“Not that I know of. Mom said something about going to the botanical gardens at some point today. Why?”
“Come here.” He lifts my chin and softly kisses me before tracing a line down my jaw.
“Absolutely not. We’ve already established I can’t be quiet to save my life. And…I’m almost certain everyone is awake.”
His chuckle vibrates through me. It’s like a kitten’s purr. “I wasn’t going to suggest that. Well, I was…but you reminding me about the noise issue made me change my mind.”
“Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“It’s not my fault.” Another laugh. “Eh, maybe a little bit.”
“You are definitely getting all the blame.” I pull the covers over us more. “Why don’t we go back to sleep for a while. It’s so rare I get a chance to sleep in.”
“That means you have to stop talking.”
I pull my fingers across my lips as if I’m zipping them shut, and throw away the imaginary key.
This right here brings me the most comfort I’ve felt in a while. I feel safe and cared for. Tristan has my back no matter what. Even when I want to ignore the world for a while longer and drift off to dream land.
Something hits me in the head, and I sit up. “What the fuck?”
Piper is in the doorway with another pillow in her hand. Peter is standing beside her with additional ammunition.
“Huh. The first pillow woke you up. I thought for sure I’d need at least three.”
Peter laughs at our baby sister. He’s not so bad as long as he’s not up Pierce’s ass, but right now I’m not amused with him.
“You never know, she might glare us to death and go back to sleep.”
Tristan stirs beside me and slowly opens his eyes. “Why do I feel like we’re under attack?”
“Because you are.” Piper sing songs before chunking another pillow at us.
“Would you stop?” I growl. “We’re awake.”
“Good. It’s after lunch. I know you weren’t drunk when you went to bed last night. Why are you still in bed?”
I wave my arm around to show the room. “We’re on vacation. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“Except we’re hungry.” Peter whines. “Mom said we’d eat out for lunch before we go to the gardens. But you have to get up.”
I swear some things never change. This brother of mine always thinks with his stomach. Tristan’s stomach growls in response. Apparently, the mention of food reminds his body he hasn’t eaten.
“Fine, we’re getting up. Now go away.”
“If I don’t hear movement coming from this room in five minutes, I’m coming back with more pillows.” Piper threatens. Tristan grins and my sister gags. “Don’t be gross. Now get up and get ready. Mom won’t let us leave until she knows y’all are at least in the process of getting dressed.”
I throw the comforter off me and roll out of bed. “See, I’m up. You two can leave now.”
“Fine, we’re going.” Piper holds her hands up in surrender. She mumbles something under her breath but I can’t hear it.
As soon as the door closes, I let out a breath. “I swear sometimes I wish I was an only child. There wouldn’t bet be all this pressure, and I wouldn’t have siblings barging into my room unannounced.”
“You don’t mean that.” Tristan gets out of bed and promptly makes it.
I wonder why he didn’t pick up the bedding off the floor the other day, if he makes the bed like this.
Maybe he didn’t want to wake me up. I don’t know.
But I already see an incompatibility issue because I’m not big on making it normally.
“I don’t. I just wish they had some boundaries sometimes. They’ve always had a habit of just walking in. What if we’d been having sex?”
He stops what he’s doing, walks over to me and wraps me in his arms. “I promise you, they’d be able to hear and wouldn’t open the door.”
I jab my finger into his side and he flinches. “Don’t be a jerk. That’s what I have siblings for.”
“You’re right.” He holds me for a few more seconds before releasing me. “We should probably get ready before all of them attack.”
“It’d be the last thing they ever do.” I grin. “But, yeah, we shouldn’t keep them waiting. I’m gonna jump in the shower. If they come looking for me, tell them to chill.”
“Like they’d listen to me,” he mutters as I walk out of the bedroom.
My shower is quick. The last thing I want to do is make my family, and Tristan, wait longer than they need to. But I had to wash away last night’s partying. It doesn’t usually tire me out like that. But there was a ton of noise, and I need the time to decompress.
Parker is walking down the hall as soon as I open the bathroom door. “Please tell me you don’t have to blow-dry your hair and do your makeup. I’m starving.”
“Calm down.” I shoo him away. “I just need to get dressed and put my hair in braids. I’m not trying to impress anyone.
“Not even Tristan?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I don’t have to be all dolled up for him all the time. He likes me no matter how I look.” I smile and move past him toward my room.
“Clearly he hasn’t seen you after you’ve gotten drunk off your ass.”
“Pfft. As if that happens often.”
He taps his chin for a second, acting like he’s deep in thought. “I seem to remember New Year’s Eve a couple of years ago.”
“We do not speak of that night. If you want me get ready really fast, you’ll burn that night from your memories.”
“You know what? You’re right. It must have been someone else.” He continues down the hall. “Now hurry up.”
I guess I have to keep my word now. Little brothers are so annoying.
When Mom said we were coming to the botanical gardens, I assumed everything would be dead, or near dying. They have a lot flowers inside this arboretum area where they cold won’t get to them, and more of the native plants to the area outside.
It’s really pretty here. I wonder why we haven’t come before.
“Those are pretty,” Tristan points to a flower. “They look like the ones used in the bouquet for Dale.”
“Those are pincushions. Emily wanted to give his arrangement a little spark since it was for an engagement.” It’s pretty amazing I can recognize a lot of the flowers in here. My bosses would be proud of me. All their hard work training me is paying off.
“That’s actually pretty cool. Do y’all customize like that for all holiday bouquets?” He’s the first person outside of Parker and Piper who has asked me about my job. Even my parents haven’t shown much interest. Which is kind of sad when I think about it.
“Usually only if the customer orders specific flowers to be added. But, if we know the occasion, we’ll spruce it up. One of our customers gets their whole order customized for Valentine’s Day.”
“Why are they special?”
“Because it’s Caroline’s family, and she always goes above and beyond for them.”
“I guess those are some of the perks of being related to amazing florists. I bet you make some beautiful arrangements.”
“Not yet,” I let out a breath. “They are teaching me, though. Each one I make gets better and better. Soon they’ll be as show stopping as the others.”
He slips his hand into mine. “I’ll be your first order.”
“You don’t have to do that.” I glance around to make sure nobody is around. “Besides who knows if we’ll make it that long. You may get tired of me before then.”
He pulls me to secluded area between flowers I don’t recognize. “Don’t put an expiration date on us when we’ve barely started. It’s not fair to you or me.”
“I don’t think you realize how hard this is for me. To put my trust and heart on the line for someone.”
He lifts a hand to my face, and I can’t help but lean into him. “You don’t have to worry about that with me. You can trust me. I only have your best interest at heart. There’s nothing I would intentionally do to hurt you.”
“You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”
“Then I guess, I’ll have to prove it to you.” He leans forward and presses a kiss to my forehead. That small action may be my new favorite thing in the world. It’s sweet and tender. He treats me like I’m precious. Maybe he will make good on everything he says.