Page 16

CHAPTER 16

BLONDE

BELLA

August

Almost two weeks have passed since Xander’s party, and my relationship with Jake has improved. Our interactions remind me of how it was when we were young, without a care in the world. We go to the movies and to dinner, soaking in the time together. We keep a low profile, so I feel at ease. I can’t stop smiling. The effort he’s put into our connection makes me feel better about my decision to give our relationship another chance.

The Warriors won their first preseason game against Dallas last Thursday, so the team is hyped about the game against Tennessee next week, and the fans are hopeful Xander will help them start the season strong.

While I’m thrilled they’re doing well, the conversations that revolve around the game and the team are never-ending and inescapable.

What’s more frustrating is how hard it has become to meet with Xander to work on his bathroom. He refuses to discuss things over text, annoying me to no end. I found the perfect vanity in three color choices, but I need him to pick one so I can order it.

And when he does have a little free time, I’m working. I knew it would be challenging, but I never imagined it would be this hard to even speak with him.

* * *

Jake has plans to spend the day with his dad, so Meg and I hit our favorite pastry shop. While we sip on coffee, we talk about our jobs, my work on Xander’s bathroom, and the new feud she and her sister are engaged in. This time, Liz is blaming her for the loss of one of their regulars.

We also talk about Marco and her crush on him. I can’t remember the last time she was so obsessed with a guy.

“He’s wonderful. He texts me every day, calls me when he has a free minute. We’ve gone out twice, and both times, everything was so easy. It kinda scares me.” Meg lets out a nervous laugh and averts her gaze to a couple sitting two tables away from us. “What if I’m imagining things?”

“I don’t think you are. I saw you two together at the club, and the way he only had eyes for you made me so giddy. The guy is into you, so stop questioning it.” I put my hand over hers on the table. “Just have fun and enjoy yourself. I have a really good feeling about you two.”

Expression relaxing, she entwines our fingers and gently squeezes my hand. “Thank you so much, Izzy. I really needed to hear that.”

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes in my purse. I dig it out, and when Xander’s name flashes on the screen, I sigh and slide my finger over the screen to answer. “Hey.”

“Hi, Bella. How are you?” His deep voice sends warmth through me, as if I’m hiding under a blanket.

Meg sits back, sipping her coffee and eyeing me over the rim.

“I’m fine. How about you?”

“Good. Tired, but good. I’m on my way home. Any chance you can stop by my place?”

I wince. “Sorry, I’m with Meg. We’re at Thierry’s Bakery.”

“Hm, that’s not far from my house. Mind if I join you? We could discuss the vanity, and I wouldn’t mind a little break. I think I’ve forgotten how to talk about anything but football.”

Fighting a smile, I say, “Wait a minute. I’ll ask Meg.”

I mute the call and ask. Meg gives me a mischievous smirk. “Of course he can join us.”

Xander has to stop by his house to pick up Milo and measure the space for the vanity, but he promises he’ll be quick.

When I end the call and put the phone down, Meg is scrutinizing me. “Do you still think Xander is an asshole?”

I blow out a breath as I consider my answer. Xander is…complicated. He’s cocky, for sure, and definitely a flirt, but an asshole? No, I don’t think so.

Eventually, I shake my head. “I was wrong about him.”

“You like him?”

“I’m with Jake.” The words fly out of my mouth so quickly, it even surprises me.

She only arches a brow in response.

Straightening and steadying myself, I try again. “Xander and I…we’re getting along better now.”

“I noticed.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “It was great, the way he stood up for you at the club. I’m thankful he did, because I was a few seconds away from scratching Jake’s eyes out.”

Though nerves skitter through me at the idea that my best friend feels that way about my boyfriend, I force a chuckle. “Since Xander’s party, Jake hasn’t been going out. We’ve been spending more time together, and we’re both making an effort.”

She hums, her attention focused on the liquid in her mug. “If you say so.”

My phone vibrates again, this time with a call from Jake. “Hey.”

“Hi, babe. Are you on your way home?”

“No, I’m still at Thierry’s with Meg. We’re waiting for Xander.”

“Walker? What for?”

“To pick out a vanity for his bathroom. I thought I mentioned it to you.”

In fact, I know I did. Just last night, I was telling him how ready I was to get this part done and move forward with the project.

“Yeah? Guess I forgot.” He laughs.

I exhale, unwilling to get riled up over such a small thing. “That’s fine. I won’t be long. What about you?”

“I need to take Dad home, so I’ll probably be late. You know how Mom is…and she’ll be asking about you.”

“I’m free tomorrow if you want to visit them. Or Monday. Whenever you want.”

“Thanks, babe. See you at home.”

I put the phone down again and smile at Meg. “Any fun plans for tomorrow?”

“Actually…”

* * *

Meg is still gushing about her upcoming plans with Marco when the ding of the bell over the door draws my attention. Xander strides in smiling with Milo on the leash. When our eyes meet, tingles spread all over my body, and lightness fills my limbs. A feeling of weightlessness settles in the pit of my stomach. I’m happy to see him, and even happier to see Milo. That dog is absolutely precious.

“Hey,” he calls as he approaches.

“Hi, Alexander.” Meg grins. She stands and picks up her things, like she’s getting ready to bolt.

Confused, I scoot to the edge of my seat. “Meg?”

“Sorry, Izzy. I forgot to tell you that…um, Liz sent me a message. I need to get back to the shop.”

This treasonous woman. Now I know why she was grinning—she’s leaving me alone with him on purpose. I’m going to strangle her, I swear.

“Have a nice evening, you two.” She presses a kiss to my cheek and whispers, “Call you tomorrow.”

“Bye,” Xander says, completely unbothered by her sudden retreat.

He lowers himself into the chair Meg just vacated right across from me.

Mouth suddenly dry, I watch my best friend leave. Shit . I consider going to the bathroom just so I can get up and put some space between me and the man across the table.

When a wetness on my leg registers, I look down and find Milo watching me, tail wagging.

My mood instantly lifts, like it always does when I see him. I lean over and scratch behind his ears. “Aw, I’m so happy to see you, buddy. I missed you.”

“He missed you too.” Xander’s voice slices through my skin, a delicious poison injected directly into my veins.

My heart flutters. Hooking one leg over the other, I tighten my core muscles, willing the throbbing to stop. My body’s reaction to this man’s presence still throws me off, but I’m determined to put a stop to it.

“How are you?” I ask. Then a server comes to our table.

Xander orders an espresso, and as she walks away he zeroes in on me, an easy smile on his lips. “I’m good. Been busy with the start of preseason.”

“You don’t say.” I unlock my phone, navigate to the side-by-side comparisons of the vanity choices, and set it in front of him. “Check these out and tell me what you think.”

For a long moment, he studies the image, using his fingers to resize it a few times. Finally, he looks up. “I like the second option the most.”

Eyes dancing with mirth, he turns my phone around. There, on the screen, is a selfie I took in the dressing room while Meg and I were shopping earlier. “But I like this one too. Red looks stunning on you.”

With a groan, I snatch my phone from his hand. “I don’t remember saying you could look through my pictures.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Isn’t that why you gave me your phone?”

Gah, he’s impossible!

With a shake of my head, I open my Notes app, determined to stay on topic. “Did you take measurements?”

The server delivers his espresso, and when he thanks her, she walks away smiling from ear to ear. The way she throws glances at him over her shoulder leaves no doubt she finds him attractive.

He takes a sip of his drink and finally nods. “I did.”

As he rattles numbers off, I type them into the app. Then I find the vanity dimensions to make sure it’ll fit.

“Looks like it’ll work perfectly in that space. Now we can finally move forward.”

He lets out a deep chuckle. “I thought we were moving forward when you ordered the rug.”

“We were,” I confirm, sitting back in my chair.

It took five minutes to complete a task he’s been putting off for almost a week. It’s like he was doing it on purpose…but why?

I open my mouth, ready to call him out, but I snap it closed again. Riling him up will only encourage him to flirt.

He’s watching me over the rim of his espresso when a curvaceous girl with long blonde hair walks into the shop. She’s wearing a tight black dress, nude stilettos, and a wide, familiar smile—and she’s laser-focused on Xander.

I frown as she approaches.

Who is she?