Page 51 of Lightning Angel

“Please ignore him,” Tristan murmured to Alexa as he led her toward the island in the middle of the kitchen. He set their plates and glasses before taking the barstool next to her.

Alexa’s eyes skimmed the kitchen, wide with a mixture of hunger and admiration. This place was aculinary haven, equipped with every imaginable kitchen appliance, and she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy. The interior design was captivating and lively. While she had a deep affection for her kitchen back home, this one was a masterpiece. And a tiny part of her couldn’t help but wish for a kitchen as splendid as this one.

Valero sat with them after serving breakfast. The conversation was short and easy, thanks to the warning glance Tristan occasionally sent Valero’s way. Valero told her about his family, especially about his two-year-old grandson. He then asked after Alexa’s family, offered his condolences hearing about her dad, and then chatted away about their shared interest in culinary.

“So, how do you and Tristan know each other?” Valero asked after they finished the breakfast.

“We—” Alexa broke off and glanced at Tristan.Bookstore?Now that she thought about it, she realized she didn’t know howheknew her.

“We met at Alexa’s dad’s funeral.” Tristan hurried to answer. He met her wide eyes and turned back to Valero, giving him a rueful smile. “It’s a little complicated.” He slid off the barstool before Valero had time to respond. “The breakfast was delicious, Valero, as always. You’re the best. Alexa and I need to be upstairs. See you for lunch!”

Tristan grabbed her hand and Alexa let him pull her from the barstool and out of the kitchen. Once she made sure they were out of earshot, she swept in front of him and whirled around to block his path.

“At my dad’s funeral?”

Tristan sighed, his shoulders sagging. “It’s part of the story I promised to tell you. Let’s go upstairs.”

He led them to the winding staircase in the foyer. When they reached upstairs, Alexa remembered his jacket from last night in her bag. “Oh, I almost forgot about your jacket.”

“You didn’t have to bring it,” Tristan said as she pulled the jacket from her bag. “I’ve got plenty of them.”

Alexa paused and looked at him, shrugging. “I’ve got plenty, too.”

Tristan smiled. “I know. You can add it to your collection.”

A smile rose on her lips and she pushed the jacket back without protest. “If you say so.”

Tristan led her down a hallway that opened into a small room. He pushed open the door to reveal a cozy house library. Alexa gasped as he turned to her with a crooked grin, stepping aside and holding the door for her.

“You have a library in your house?” she gushed as she entered, looking around at the shelves filled with books. “It’s so unfair my sister is an author and all we have is a bookshelf in each of our rooms.”

Tristan chuckled from behind and closed the door. “Make yourself at home, then. It’s all yours.”

Alexa laughed and turned to him. “I was only kidding.”

“But I was being serious.” His facial expression didn’t betrayed any hint, even if he did mean it seriously.

“Touché.” Alexa pivoted back to the shelves. Her eyes hooked on a line of familiar spines and dropped her bag on a lounge before approaching it. “No way,” she murmured, readingCassandra Fordat the bottom of the spines.

“Of course, your sister has a new fan in me,” Tristansaid from behind. “Blinding Loveis my favorite.”

Alexa spun around to him withBlinding Lovein her hand. “It’s my favorite too!”

Their gazes met. And for a heartbeat, the world outside their bubble ceased to exist.

“I guess we might have a lot in common than we know,” Tristan broke the charged silence between them.

Alexa dropped her gaze to the book, heart erratic in her chest. “But what do we know about each other?” She looked up at him. “Is this how you know me? Being a fan of my sister?”

“Youare how I met her and her amazing works, Alexa.” Tristan’s eyes were intense but tender. “It all started with you.”

“What’sall?”

“Everything I have been in the last three and a half months since I saw you at your dad’s funeral. I used to be a completely different person before then.” He gestured to the lounge chairs between them. “Take a seat.”

Alexa placed the book back in its place and obliged. Tristan sat opposite her. He took a deep breath.

“Bittenis rather an interesting statement when you asked me if I was bitten by a spider,” he said, his facial expression turning grim. “In one way, I guess I could say I was bitten—by an aunt.”