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Heart racing, pal, she felt the clipboard slide from her hands, and she bent over to suck in a deep breath Just one ether No one would see

A strong, warm hand pressed into her lower back "Breathe," he cooose bumps to break out over her skin

"I’m fine, I just--"

"Don’t talk Just breathe"

His hand stroked her back fir her aswould work out She gulped in another breath, and slowly her rateful bursts

Finally she straightened up, avoiding his gaze Ugh He was probably kicking hi her lead this project Tristan never lost his calm Why did she have to be so weak?

"Stop it, now" His voice flicked like a whiplash Startled, she swung her gaze to his, shole by the stinging cognac of his eyes, burning with heat "Don’t ever psych yourself out again Yes, it’s a lot of work Yes, it’s going to be bad Yes, we’ll get it done Together"

And just like that, Sydney ached to topple hieous, s to hiood"

His features softened "The first tiht I was sick to my stomach"

She s under his cool, professional surface because it was safely tucked ahere most couldn’t see But he’d always showered her with care, even in his frustrating, comore in control

"Good It wasn’t bad for the first day How serious is the e systeular leaks, so it looks like an isolated incident We’ll begin the cleanup and install the new floor"

"Good Plu forward on the kitchen by end of week unless we uncover more issues"

She wrinkled her nose "Oh, please tellat her curls He hadn’t touched her like that in years, and she tried desperately to ward off the sweetness of the memory "Sweetheart, there are always issues Re shit, and I ended up over budget"

She shuddered at the thought "That’s right You had a bit of a tantrulowered "I don’t have tantrums," he corrected "Toddlers have tantrums Men blow off steaine then," she teased, trying to keep a straight face "Throwing files around, bitching at Cal for not hiring the right electrician Bitching at Dalton for breathing"

"This business isn’t for the weak" He cocked his head, frowning "Did I bitch at you for so?"

"Yeah, I paid the bill for the electrician too fast You wanted to negotiate for a discount"

"That’s right Why didn’t you wait?"