Page 39

CHAPTER 39

IT’S HIS

BELLA

November

The whole way to his parents’ house, I play it cool. I happily listen to him tell me about how he almost face-planted in the driveway when Milo pulled on the leash while he was texting with Drew. I make sure to smile when he mentions the Lord of the Rings marathon he’s planning. It’s one of his favorite franchises, and apparently he watches all six movies at least once a year. He has yet to do it this year, and since it’s almost December, it only feels fair that we binge them next week.

He never says no when I ask for anything, and I’m trying to emulate that. This relationship deserves all the time and effort I can give it. I am his first serious relationship, and even though he isn’t mine, he’s the first man to treat me with respect and care. Obviously, not all days are perfect; we learn by trial and error, but what I feel for him makes it all worth it.

“How do you feel?” he asks as he rounds the car and meets me at the passenger door.

I shrug. “I’m good.”

“So you’re not nervous?” He drapes an arm over my shoulder.

I chuckle, cuddling closer. His hoodie smells like him—woodsy, with notes of tobacco. I love it.

“A little bit.”

“You have nothing to worry about. My parents already love you,” he says. “Besides, Audrey and Ryan are here too. Familiar faces should ease your fears, right?”

Everything in me stills.

Audrey’s presence does the opposite of ease my fears—it puts me on edge, but I don’t mention that to Xander. His sister means so much to him, but the woman doesn’t like me one bit, despite how often he tells me otherwise.

I hum noncommittally.“Are they still looking for a house?”

“Yeah. Audrey is next-level picky. She wants something big and spacious but also cozy and comfortable. She vetoed the last one because it didn’t have a pool.”

“I thought she was dead set on a hot tub, not a pool.”

“Exactly.” He kisses my nose. “I’m not sure she knows what she wants. Other than the location, since she’s looking for a house in our neighborhood.”

His words send a shiver down my spine. The idea of having her so close makes my stomach roil.

As if he can sense my unease, he holds me closer. “Everything’s going to be fine, I promise. You’re safe with me.”

I want to believe it, but a little voice in the back of my head questions his words. I force myself to smile. “I know.”

The house is gorgeous. It’s white with a black roof. Its modern details work surprisingly well with the classic New England vibe. The lawn is manicured, and the cobblestone driveway looks recently redone. The solid wood door is decorated with an adorable Warrior-themed wreath, the pine needles adorned with a red and white bow and dotted with little footballs.

“Is this their tribute to you?”

“Yeah, Mom made it herself,” he answers as he knocks on the door. “She said she made one for us too.”

“Oh, that’s so cu?—”

The door opens, and I find myself face-to-face with Audrey, who’s smiling from ear to ear in light blue jeans and a beige cashmere pullover.

“Look who’s finally here,” she announces, her eyes on her brother.

“We’re right on time.” Xander pulls me into the house, then releases me to kiss his sister on the cheek. “It’s good to see you home again.”

“Better get used to it. March will be here sooner than you think.” She turns to me then, and the corners of her mouth drop a little, but she forces another smile almost immediately. “It’s nice to see you, Isabella.”

“You too.”

Instinctively, I move to Xander, and he laces his fingers with mine.

“Where is everyone?” he asks.

“Dad and Ryan are in the living room, Mom’s in the kitchen.”

The living room is light and inviting just like I remember it, with a big gray couch and large windows that flood the space with natural light in the morning. The fireplace is surrounded by built-in shelves with rows and rows of books and framed pictures. The TV is on, the volume turned up loud as Ryan and Xander’s dad watch hockey.

As we step farther into the room, Xander’s dad jumps to his feet, a radiant smile on his lips.

“Alex, Isabella!” He hugs his son, then holds out his hand to me. “I’m Greg.”

I slip my palm into his and I’m instantly struck by how much he looks like Xander. Dark hair. Blue eyes. Sharp jaw and straight nose.

“We’re so happy you’re here.”

“Thank you so much for inviting me.” I smile.

His gaze is warm, and the smile lines bracketing his mouth deepen as he grins. “Alex has talked our ears off about you. Glad we’re finally meeting.”

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you too.”

“I hope only good things?” A petite blonde shuffles into the room, her blue eyes sparkling and her smile bright. Her bottom lip is a bit fuller than her upper lip, and it’s pouty, just like her son’s.

“Definitely,” Xander comments. “I don’t have a mean bone in my body.”

His mom snorts and fixes her warm gaze on me. “We are so happy you agreed to come. We’ve been waiting for Alex to introduce us since the second we saw his bathroom. You did such a wonderful job, dear! I love it!”

My heart warms at the simple compliment. It’s so genuine, so kind.

Xander hauls me to him. “Looks like Mom forgot her manners,” he teases. “Bella, this is my mom, Pauline.”

“Oh my God!” She smacks her forehead and laughs. “I was so excited to finally meet you, I forgot to introduce myself.” She closes the distance between us and wraps me in a hug. “Thank you so much for coming, Bella.”

“I’m so happy to be here,” I say as she steps back.

“Well,” she says, hands clasped over her chest, “let’s go. Dinner is ready.”

* * *

After Pauline’s delicious dinner, I put the dishes into the sink as she instructed, finding it hard not to smile. I’m content here, in this house. Almost as content as I am at my aunt’s.

This house is a home, full of warmth and comfort, love and happiness. It seems silly now, how worried I was about meeting them. They welcomed me, and they treat me with respect and kindness simply because Xander loves me.

“Did you have a good time?”

Startled, I turn and find Audrey in the doorway. “Yeah. Your parents are amazing.”

“They are,” she says with a nod.

Silence follows her words. At a loss for how to fill it, I straighten the invisible wrinkles from my skirt and cross my legs at my ankles.

“I was wrong about you.” She lifts her chin, assessing me. “You are nothing like your ex, and you…you love Alex. I believe you.”

She believes me?

Relief washes over me. “Thank you.”

“I still don’t like the way you two got together. Sneaking around, hiding from everyone. It looks more like an affair than anything, and it makes Alex look bad.” She folds her arms over her chest. “People love him. I just hope it stays that way once you two go public.”

A lump forms in my throat. “I hope so too.”

Audrey narrows her eyes then sighs. “As long as he’s happy, I’m happy. It’s nothing personal, Isabella. I just want to make sure my brother doesn’t get hurt.”

“I love Xander; hurting him is the last thing I want.” I uncross my legs and head to the doorway. When I pass her, I pause and hold her gaze. “I’m not your enemy.”

She nods and steps aside to let me through.

In the living room, Xander pulls me down next to him on the couch. The moment we’re touching, the stiffness in my shoulders dissipates. Exhaling, I put my head on his shoulder and listen to him and his dad talk about the team’s chance at the Super Bowl.

“Love you.” His whisper caresses my skin as he kisses my temple.

“I love you too,” I whisper back.

He is my constant, always on my mind. He has burrowed so deeply into my soul that as long as I have him, I’ll be content. Xander is the sweetest poison, filling the world around me with vibrant, eye-catching colors and warmth.

He stole my heart…and I’ll gladly let him keep it.