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Triston stares at me a moment before he reaches out a hand to me. Drawing in a deep breath to steady my nerves, I start toward him. Reaching him, I slip my fingers into his as he pulls me close. “With you is exactly where I want to be.”

My insides melt. Which I know is part of the problem. When Triston’s not around, I tell myself all sorts of things. But once he’s near, I turn into clay for him to mold. “Did it go all right with your family?”

I feel his moment of hesitation. “Most of us are on the same page, so that’s good.”

“Win?”

I could tell that Triston’s older brother did not like me. After yesterday, I’m not sure I blame him.

“He’s not happy with me, but then again, it’s pretty much his full-time job to be dissatisfied.”

“Because of me.” I shake my head, wincing.

Triston’s arms come around me as he pulls me close. “All of my other brothers understand. Trust me when I say, this is a Win problem, not a Honeyeh problem.”

“I’m not so sure,” I whisper, breathing in his scent. “If Darius and I are causing trouble…”

“You’re not.” He squeezes me tighter. I was trying to give him an out. Instead, his lips brush over my temple. “Give me ten minutes and then we can head outside.”

I let him go then, but follow him out into the hall to cross to the bedroom to change. That’s when I see his brothers and Mason filing out of his office.

Mason waves and winks. I give a small wave back, but my bottom lip is still between my teeth.

Win’s clear dislike of me has made me question how the rest of these men might view me. Do they think I’m a shamelesssocial climber? Or do they just see me as Triston’s latest conquest? I wince at the thought.

The group heads down the stairs to the foyer while Triston goes back in his office. I only have a minute to decide, but drawing in a deep breath, I start down the hall to the stairs.

Triston’s brothers, along with Mason have reached the front door when I’m halfway down the stairs. “Mason?” I call out before he can leave.

They all turn to look at me.

“Hey, Honeyeh.”

“May I have a word?” I ask before I can lose my courage.

They all stand there waiting and I hesitate. Triston’s brothers have been nothing but nice, but I was still hoping to have this conversation a bit more privately.

“Of course,” Mason answers, but his eyes crinkle at the corners as he stares back at me in question. No one moves. I guess I’m doing this…

“I…I wanted to thank you for hiring me for that waitressing job.”

Mason smiles. “It was my pleasure. I’m sorry you weren’t in my employ longer.”

That makes me relax the slightest bit, but my hand still flutters. “Thank you for that. I really appreciate it because I was hoping to ask…”

His brow furrows.

“If…when…things…” I wave my hand around Triston’s house. “Should I find myself in need of a job again…”

His brows lift. “You’re always welcome to call me, Honeyeh.”

“Thank you,” I whisper, relief making me limp.

“Worried about Triston?” Gris asks, making me stiffen back up.

The answer is definitely yes. But I’m not saying that. “I try to have a plan and a backup plan because I can’t afford to bewithout work.” I hope that sounds reasonable and not at all accusatory toward Triston. My goal is not to create more trouble. I just need to make certain I can pay our bills.

Mason lightly touches my elbow. “Triston is not going to let your bills go unpaid. But you are always welcome to come to me should you need anything.”