A Surprising Twist of Fates (Sierra and Theo) novel Chapter 9

Sierra spun around quickly, startled to see Theo standing behind her. She hadn't even noticed when he'd arrived.

"Uncle Theo, what are you doing here?"

His sharp eyes took in her tear-streaked face and red-rimmed eyes. In a deep, steady voice, he asked, "Who upset you?"

"No one. I just got something in my eye," Sierra stammered, her tone flustered as she hurried to explain.

She raised her hand to wipe her tears, but the motion tugged at her injury, and she gasped sharply in pain. The wound on her arm reopened earlier when Sophie had deliberately squeezed it.

Before she could react, a hand holding a tissue appeared in front of her. Theo had already stepped closer, so close that they stood toe-to-toe. Without a word, he wiped the tears from her face.

Sierra's heart tightened, and her body went rigid. The sudden closeness was overwhelming, and the faint, cool scent of pine on him filled her senses.

Even this gesture—his hand brushing against her skin as he wiped her tears—felt far too intimate.

"Uncle Theo, I can do it myself," she protested softly, taking a small step back.

She reached out to take the tissue from him, but before she could, Theo caught her hand.

"Don't move," he said quietly. "Do you want to lose the use of your hand?"

Sierra froze. His fingertips lightly pressed against her wrist, their warmth seeping into her skin, and she could feel the heat rising to her ears.

Theo gently wiped away the tears from her face, his gaze lingering on her swollen eyes and damp lashes. His lips pressed into a thin, tight line before he spoke, his tone cold and direct.

"Was it Benson who upset you?"

Sierra's expression shifted. She looked up at him, meeting his deep, penetrating gaze, and quickly shook her head. "No. Really, I just got some sand in my eye."

"Sierra, if you're going to lie to me, at least come up with a better excuse. Where would sand even come from in a restaurant?"

His words sliced through her clumsy attempt at deception.

Sierra bit her lip tightly. She didn't want to talk about what had happened between her and Benson, especially not with Theo. After all, he was part of the Gray family, too.

If she told him, wouldn't he just end up taking Benson's side?