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MISTY WINDOWS

BELLA

September

Three hours after we walked into the Met, we step back out into the sunshine.

We could’ve spent another three hours in there and still not seen all the incredible art.

The works of Picasso, Titian, Vermeer, and so many others left me in absolute awe.

I’ve been here more than once, and I still rambled on about my favorite artists and paintings.

The whole time, Xander listened attentively. He asked questions and made thoughtful comments, legitimately making this experience unforgettable.

“Which painting is your favorite?” he asks as we stroll down the stairs. “It was hard to tell. You know so much about all of them.”

I laugh. “It’s Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies by Claude Monet. It’s simple but stunning. I could stare at it for hours and still not find all the little details. What about you?”

“I’m not really into paintings, but the Greek and Roman sculpture court was impressive. The attention to detail is wild to me. And considering how old they are? I’m fucking speechless.”

The lightness that only seems to appear when I’m with Xander fills me to the brim. “I’m really glad you enjoyed it. I was worried you’d get bored.”

He lets go of my hand and drapes his arm over my shoulders, tucking me into his side. “Bored? That’s impossible when I’m with you. You make everything exciting.” He kisses my temple. “Where do you want to go next?”

“I don’t know. If you’d told me we were coming to New York, I would’ve put a whole itinerary together.”

“Can’t say I’m sorry. The spontaneity only adds to the perfection. I don’t want a curated Bella. I want your real, unfiltered thoughts about the city. I’ve already learned so much about your life here, about your favorite spots and what makes them so special. It’s precious.”

The sweet smile he gives me melts my heart into a puddle of goo.

Brain, SOS! Where are you when I need you the most?

Xander has been a perfect gentleman all day…which only weakens my resolve.

Where do I want to go next?

Home? Tempting. My feet hurt, and I wouldn’t mind snuggling with him.

To Central Park, since we’re close?

“Bella?”

A gentle tug on my hand reminds me I’m not alone.

Xander stops short and turns me to face him, his eyes deep pools of warmth and tenderness as he studies me.

“What are you thinking about? This isn’t the first time you’ve spaced out today.”

“Everything and nothing at the same time. My mind keeps wandering to my past, to my life in New York, then back to this very moment. It’s a bit overwhelming.

” Licking my lips, I scan the people walking by without giving Xander a second glance.

So far, no one has recognized him. I can only hope it stays that way.

If our photos end up on the internet, it’ll turn my life upside down again, and I’m definitely not ready for that yet.

“Is there something you’re worried about?” He snakes an arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

“I’ve had so much fun with you, but…” I swallow the lump that’s suddenly in my throat. “I’m afraid I’m letting you get too close too easily. I worry we’ll fall back into our old habits and repeat the cycle of devastation.”

He exhales, his breath feathering the hairs at my temple. It’s the bitter truth, but the truth is what we swore to at the dog park a few weeks ago. Our lack of communication was our downfall. If we want a real chance to rebuild, we’ll have to use stronger material.

“I hear you, and I understand.” His grip on my waist tightens, as if he’s trying to blend us together.

My heartbeat is echoing in my ears, and I’m certain the same is true for him. Our hearts always beat in unison.

“For now, let’s enjoy the moment. And later—on our way home, or tomorrow, or whenever you’re ready—we’ll talk about the past. Get it all out there. I don’t want to repeat my mistakes either. I want to be worthy of you, and you deserve the world.”

“I don’t really need the world.” You would be enough . I hold my tongue before that statement spills out of me.

I zero in on his lips. The urge to kiss him grows with each moment we spend together. It’s?—

“Lawson?”

I blink myself back to the present and take a step away from Xander.

When Kaden comes into view, I slap a hand to my chest and dart for him.

“I thought I was hallucinating.” He chuckles.

“You weren’t.” With a giggle, I hug him.

When the scent of his cologne registers, I close my eyes, and all the tension in my body ebbs away.

If I had to describe what Kaden is to me in one word, it’d be “anchor.” He grounds me.

He helps me to stand on my own two feet, but he also supports me without any expectations.

Our friendship developed quicker than any I’ve ever had.

Not even Meg’s friendship felt so right so fast.

“Hey,” I say as I pull back.

His lopsided grin lights up his face, making his eyes sparkle. “Whaddya doing here?”

“Came to visit.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip, realizing he’s about to meet Xander, the man he’s heard so many things about. “It was sort of last minute.”

Xander steps up to my side then. That’s when Kaden realizes who he is, and his jaw drops.

“Kaden, this is Xander.”

Kaden holds out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Xander shakes his hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

My gaze flickers to him instantly. What does he have in mind?

“Yeah? Why?” Kaden sticks his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

“Because you’re Bella’s friend, and I know how much you mean to her.”

Heat radiates through my chest, and I can’t help but smile at Xander. It means the absolute world to me that he wants to get to know my friend.

Kaden grins. “If I’m being honest, I wanted to meet you too—to make sure you treat Izzy right.” He checks his watch. “I’ve got a little time before I meet up with Liv.” He glances between Xander and me. “How about a coffee?”

“Only if it’s not too crowded,” Xander says. “If I’m recognized, the paparazzi won’t leave Bella alone.”

The butterflies in my stomach are ecstatic, fluttering their wings, making it hard not to smile.

“How about we get it to go and walk through Central Park? I’ve got about an hour.” Kaden turns to me. “I’ll order so the two of you don’t have to go in. Vanilla latte for you?”

He didn’t need to ask. He knows what I like, but I nod anyway.

Kaden wiggles his eyebrows and grins. Ah. It makes sense now. He’s showing Xander how well he knows me. Even if they can be friendly, they’re still guys. Cockiness is in their blood, I’m afraid.

“What about you?” he asks Xander.

“Same. Bella and I have the same taste when it comes to coffee. And a lot of other things.”

And here I thought he wasn’t jealous at all.

Eyes closed, I lean back and take a deep breath. I can’t wait to get home and take a bubble bath. My legs are killing me.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. It meant a lot showing Xander so many of my favorite places. And he was right: not having an itinerary was great. It meant we could wander and talk.

“You look satisfied.” His tone is deep and full of innuendo.

I open my eyes, smiling involuntarily. He’s been telling me about how the season started and his hopes for another Super Bowl ring. Yet again, I found myself mesmerized when he opened up about his passion. Football is his life.

“Did you have fun today?”

“I liked spending time with you,” I coo quietly, holding his gaze. “Thank you for taking me to New York. It felt good to be back, even if it was only for the day.”

“Glad to hear it.” He clears his throat. “Do you think Kaden will take you up on your offer to visit?”

I hum. “Absolutely. Hopefully Liv will join him.”

“That’s great. I’d love to meet her too. But he’s so overprotective of you, and I?—”

My back goes ramrod straight. Dammit. This is not a road I want to go down again, especially not with him. “Please, stop.”

He looks from me to the road and back again. “Stop the car, or stop talking?”

“Both.”

I turn and face the window, watching the rain pelt the glass. It’s beautiful, but my annoyance makes it hard to appreciate.

Silently, he takes the next exit, pulling into a park. The rain is coming down harder now, and the place is totally deserted.

Once the car is in park, he unfastens his seat belt and turns to face me. I do the same, mirroring him.

“I’m sorry,” he says in a soft voice.

“For what?”

“For getting jealous. I know you and Kaden are just friends, and he has a girlfriend, but”—he inhales deeply—“what we have right now is so fragile. I’m anxious that one wrong step might cause this bridge we’re building to crumble.

So it was hard, seeing how close you are, how much he knows about you. ”

“Once you see him with Liv, you’ll understand.” I lick my lips, and his eyes follow the movement like he’s hypnotized. “You have nothing to worry about.”

His gaze heats as he watches me. The look makes me shudder with a desire I shouldn’t feel.

Outside, rain pounds against the car, fast and heavy, making it difficult to see the trees that surround the parking lot.

“You’re so fucking hot when you stand your ground,” he murmurs.

I shift, clenching my thighs to temper the ache between my legs.

The subtle movement catches his attention, and the fire in his eyes intensifies. His pupils dilate, almost eclipsing his irises. Excitement washes over me. My body knows what’s coming, and I’m so ready for it.

“Screw it.” Between one heartbeat and the next, he hauls me onto his lap. We stare at each other for a long, torturous minute. And then our lips collide.

Fireworks explode in my chest, spreading warmth from my head to my toes.

God, I missed this feeling. Our lips move in sync, tongues twirling and curling around one another in a familiar dance.

This kiss is passionate and overwhelming, his hold on my waist desperate.

He craves this intimacy, craves me and my touch as badly as I crave him.