Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(83)

“Must suck though, not really having time for anything other than work.”

“I made time for friends and life outside of work. But yes, being a workaholic comes at a price.”

A very great price for me.

“So there is a guy?” Tristan’s voice rises in surprise.

“There was. What about you? Anyone special?”

“Are you asking me out?” he asks smirking, and then laughs.

I blink repeatedly and shake my head. “No, no, I was—”

“Catherine, relax. I’m kidding. You’re missing a key part to my engine, if you know what I mean.”

“Huh?”

Tristan pauses waiting for me to catch up.

“Oh!” I say as it clicks. “Sorry, the coffee and time difference are slowing me a bit. Well, he’s a very lucky guy. Have you been together long?”

“Two years, and I’m sure this is going to floor you, but he’s an aspiring actor.”

I sit here enjoying how I can feel comfortable around him and not have to worry about a sexual harassment suit. It was one of the things Taylor warned me about, since there were plenty of times I had to have her come over late at night, or we were traveling alone.

“Is this something I’m going to hear a lot?”

“This is L.A., honey. You’re going to be shocked when you don’t hear it. Now tell me about this guy you gave up.”



The next week passes without incident. Tristan and I work extremely well together. He’s funny, smart, witty, and it’s as if we’re lifelong friends. Ashton and he spoke on the phone last night and she’s in love with him. I’m pretty sure he feels the same.

Today the rest of the office starts work, and I’m both excited and nervous. There’s a lot we need to do and I heard from Sean letting me know they’d be coming out later this week to see the set up.

“Cat, there’s a delivery for you,” Tristan says strolling through the door.

“He’s never going to stop,” I say more to myself than anyone.

Sure enough, Tristan is carrying in a large photo wrapped in brown paper.

“Is this from my favorite sailor?” he asks, trying to peel the paper back.

I slap his hand and start to open the gift. “Probably. He’s been texting me and calling, but with the time difference it’s really hard.”

I rip the paper off and start laughing so hard I have to hold my stomach.

“What is that?”

Jackson sent a huge photo of my time from the obstacle course. However, in true Jackson fashion he added one question across the top: REMATCH?

“It’s a long story, but let’s just say Super SEAL lost and apparently isn’t over it.”

I pick up the phone and dial his number.

“Hello, baby.” Jackson’s deep voice vibrates through the line and I fight the urge to sigh.

“Hello, Muffin.”

Jackson chuckles, “Oh, we’re going to play that way?”

“Whatever do you mean, my dear?” I say playing coy.

“So what do I owe the honor of your phone call, Kitty?”

I purse my lips at his jab toward the nickname I hate so much.

“I got your present,” I say looking at it while Tristan tilts his head as if he’ll find some hidden meaning in the photo.

“Did you now?”

“I did.”

Jackson clears his throat and muffles the phone, “I only have a minute, babe. I’m about to head into a meeting.”

My lips turn down. This is the exact problem we’ll face if we tried for anything other than friendship. “It’s fine. I have a really busy day too. My client is due here in a few minutes.”

“I miss you,” Jackson says and my chest tightens.

Tristan comes back in and taps his finger on his wrist letting me know we have to go. I pull the phone from my ear, “Okay.”

“Okay?” He sounds instantly pissed.

“Not you. I was telling Tristan okay,” I explain.

“Who the f*ck is Tristan?” Jackson’s voice no longer holds any tenderness.

“Jealous much?” I taunt him playfully. After a second of his silence I realize he’s upset. “Relax, Muff. He’s my assistant.”

“You hired a guy?” Jackson doesn’t sound any less pissed than before.

I huff and organize the file on my desk. “I did. And if I remember correctly you have women who work for you.”

“Yeah, but they’re old or ugly.”

“Danielle isn’t either of those,” I gently remind him.

“Is Tristan,” Jackson sneers his name, “old or ugly?”

“Well, he’s definitely not old,” I joke and he growls.

Jackson smothers the phone but I can still hear him. “Hold the f*ck on, dude. I’m dealing with a pain in the ass on the other side of the country.”

“Jackson,” I call but he doesn’t answer.

“Jackson!” I yell and I hear the phone clear.

“You can hold on too.”

“Jackson we’re not together and I don’t have time to ex—”

“Don’t. It’s been a week and a half, Catherine. I’m f*cking miserable and you’re hanging out with some tool.”