Tristan had the faint, satisfied smile of a man who knew he had won.
He stood a little behind Brienne, watching her study the painting as though the rest of the gallery had melted away. Her head titled, lips parted slightly, her attention caught somewhere between the canvas and her own thoughts. He had insisted she come with him today, and the fact that she had finally surrendered to his persistence felt like a small, personal victory.
He stepped closer.
"Like it?"
She startled just a little, smiled.
"Oh, yes. It's... intriguing. I like how it almost looks abstract, but not quite. And the colours; yhe earth tones, the way the brush stokes feel so deliberate. Strong. Almost...sensual."
Tristan laughed.
"Only you would turn a landscape into a personal fantasy."
Brienne shit him and innocent look. "What? It's makes you feel something. That's the point of art, isn't it?"
He shook his head. "You're in a mood today."
She shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe your precious artist of a friend just knows how to stir things up with her art."
"Well then," he said, already reaching for his coat, "you deserve a drink."
Brienne's eyes lit up immediately. "Yes, absolutely. Before I'm forced back into my office for that horrible meeting."
They drifted toward the small pub attached to the gallery, laughing, shoulders brushing. Tristan went on to the bar area to order their drinks while Brienne found a table to sit. A faint wave of faintness washes over her before she could sit.
She turned.
A man stood a shirt distance behind her, hands in his pockets watching. It was not in a rude way, but with an intensity that made her spine tighten. His eyes were a beautiful dark, nearly black reminding her of obsidian, and held a quiet curiousity that unsettled her for reasons she couldn't explain.
Their gazes met.
For a moment, the room seemed to contract.
Tristan came back from the bar area and noticing her stillness followed her gaze.
"Alex."
The man's mouth curved slightly as Tristan approached him.
Tristand called Brienne over with a wave of his hand and introduced the two. They shook hands and got to know eachother's names through Tristan who was their mutual friend.
Brienne learned that Alex was the brother of the late boyfriend of the artist she had praised earlier at the Art Gallery.
The warmth of Alex's grip on her hand as they shook hands, the faint steadiness in his posture, and the way his gaze returned to her again after he'd turned away were all noticed in detail by Bree.
Something in her chest fluttered, not attraction exactly, but somewhat of a recognition. As if her body knew him long before they met.
When he finally walked off, she leaned towards Tristan.
"Who exactly was that? All the details."
"Like I introduced you, Freya's patron," he replied easily. "Old family connection too. Not much of a talker."
"Doesn't look like he talks much."
Tristan smirked. "No he doesn't."
When Freya joined them moments later, bright and beautiful in a carefully practiced way, Brienne's felt the atmosphere shift. The woman was kind enough on the surface, but her eyes flickered with something colder.
And then during their interactions Alex looked back at Brienne when she had let her gaze wander off.
Just once.
But it was enough.
By the time Brienne drained the last of her wine, the weight in her chest had grown uncomfortable.
"It was nice to meet all of you. But I just really be getting along now, I should go, Tristan," she said suddenly.
"Oh sure, come. Let me walk you to your car. Guys, I will be back shortly."
She needed to get away from those dark eyes that seemed to follow her every move. He had a way of looking at her as if she was the only person there.
They walked out from the building and as soon as they were outside Tristan asked.
"What is wrong Brienne, I noticed you were on needles the whole time Alex was there, it's like you are running away from something. Do you guys have any history I should know of?"
When she went outside she finally felt like she could breath again. Brienned patted her chest in relief as she took in huge amounts of air in deep breaths.
After a moment, she replied. "I don't know. I just had a strong sense of...I don't know, hit, maybe danger, fear, or something else. I can't quite put my finger on it. There was definitely something dark and oppressive about his gaze. Like I could not breathe with his eyes on me."
"Okay, just relax, maybe it was because of the way he staring at you. He seems a little intrigued by you. Trust me he is not a bad guy. Just not much of a talker. He is kind and quiet funny when you get to know him. I suppose you are so beautiful he couldn't help himself."
A teasing smile bloomed on Brienne's face. "Oh really, that's the first time you have confessed I am beautiful."
Tristand pushed her forehead with a finger and they laughed together as they walked towards Brienne's car.