"Charlie, what's wrong?" Tristan asked smoothly.
Vanessa, however, didn't bother with subtlety. "Honey, why would you refuse?" she demanded, tightening her grip on my arm. "Tristan is being sincere and you're rejecting him? You're hurting his feelings."
I chuckled softly, my gaze drifting to where their bodies were slightly angled toward each other, unconsciously drawn together.
"He won't feel hurt," I murmured, my voice tinged with amusement. "You're already keeping him warm, aren't you?"
Vanessa instantly stiffened. "Charlie, what do you mean by that?!"
Her reaction was instant—defensive, outraged. The perfect mask of an innocent wife falsely accused.
"I only see Tristan as my little brother!" she cried, her voice rising. "We've been married for so many years and you still don't trust me?!"
I said nothing. I simply watched as she grew more agitated.
Before she could launch into another tirade, Tristan cut in smoothly. "Vanessa, don't get mad. Charlie's probably just jealous—that's why he won't accept the gift." He turned to me with an easy smile. "Maybe we should keep our distance, so he doesn't get the wrong idea."