The Air He Breathes (Elements, #1)(57)

“You’re right. What would I know anyway?” He frowned and brushed his thumb against his jaw. “I’m just the neighbor.”

Oh, Tristan.

“I…I didn’t mean it like that when I said it earlier.” I was the worst person alive, I was certain of that much.

“No, it’s fine. And it’s true. I mean, it was stupid of me to think…” He cleared his throat and stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets. “Look, Lizzie. We’re both still mourning. We probably went at this thing—whatever this is between us—in completely the wrong way. And I hold nothing against you for just wanting to be my neighbor. Hell…” He laughed nervously and stared straight into my eyes. “If all I’ll ever be to you is your neighbor, then that’s good enough for me. That’ll be enough. It’s a f*cking honor to be your neighbor. But seeing as how I accidentally fell in love with you, I think it might be best if I clear my head and skip the birthday get-together tonight.”

“Tristan, no.”

He shook his head. “It’s fine. Really, it is. I’m just going to say goodnight to Emma and then head home.”

“Tristan,” I said once more, but he walked out of the room. I hurried into the hallway. “Tristan! Stop!” I jumped up and down like a child, pounding my feet against the ground. “Stop, stop, stop!” He turned back to me, and I saw the pained expression that I’d caused to exist within his eyes. I walked to him and took his hands in mine. “I’m a mess. Each day, every day, I’m a complete mess. I say stupid things like I did today. I make mistakes as if ‘mistakes’ is my middle name. I’m hard to handle, and sometimes I hate my mother because deep down inside I know I am my mother. And just like everything else in my life, that’s hard for me to deal with.” I held his hands against my chest. “And I’m sorry you had to witness the broken Elizabeth during dinner, but you are the one thing that makes sense to me. You are the one thing I don’t want to mess up. And you are so, so much more than just my neighbor.”

He placed his lips against my forehead. “Are you sure?” he questioned.

“I’m sure.”

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’ll get there.” He hugged me, and I felt a little better already. “I should go get dressed.” I sighed against him.

“Okay.”

“And you should come help me.”

So he did.





“Just for future reference, when I have a breakdown about my mother, you’re supposed to agree with me no matter how much logic I am missing.” I smirked, pulling my shirt over my head and sliding out of my jeans.

“Sorry, I missed that memo. Yes! Gah! Your mother, she’s such a monster!” Tristan made a grossed out face.

My lips curved up as I stepped into my dress. “Thank you! Now can you zip me?”

“Of course.” His hands landed on my hips before his fingers moved up and zipped my red, curve-hugging dress. “And what’s up with all that perfume she wears? Way too much Chanel.”

“Exactly!” I swung around to him and playfully slapped his chest. “Wait. How did you know what kind of perfume she wears?”

His lips found my neck, and he softly kissed me. “Because her daughter wears the same kind.”

I smiled. Maybe parts of me were extremely like Mama. “I should probably apologize to her for my freak-out, huh?”

He cocked a brow. “Is this a trick question?”

I laughed. “No.”

“Then yes, I think you should, but not until after you have an awesome birthday tonight. Your mom loves you and you love her. I think you’ll both be okay.”

I sighed, kissed his lips, and nodded once. “Okay.”





Chapter Twenty-Eight


Tristan



“I should let you go in first,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “It’s your party, and I think you should have your moment.” I stood tall in my dark blue button-down shirt and dark jeans.

“We can go in together,” she said.

I hesitated. “People will think we’re a couple.”

She held her hand out toward me with the most beautiful smile on her lips. “Aren’t we?”

Man. With those two words from her mouth, I felt like such a damn giddy *.

God, I love her.

Even though we both were sure about each other, it didn’t mean everyone else in Meadows Creek would be as okay with the idea. As we walked into the bar, everyone shouted ‘Happy birthday!’ to Elizabeth, and I stepped to the side to allow all the hugs to begin.

She looked so happy from the love she was receiving.

Those were my favorite moments to take in.

It didn’t take long for the music to turn loud and the drinking to begin. Shots were being taken left and right, and the gossiping ladies of Meadows Creek were growing louder and louder as they watched Elizabeth and my every move.

After taking another shot of some nasty alcohol with her, I leaned in and whispered against her hair, “Are you okay? With the looks from people? Because if you’re not comfortable, I can stop touching you.”

“I love when you touch me. Don’t stop touching me. It’s just…hard. Everyone’s judging us,” she whispered with a frown. “Everyone’s watching us.”