Page 24 of Maybe, Probably (Love Me, Maybe #1)

Chapter Fourteen

Harper

I look over at Xavier in disbelief. Did he really accept an invite for us to spend three weeks with his family at some ski lodge?

I mean, I’ve never been anywhere like that, but that means three weeks of watching Dalton and Chloe all over each other.

Three weeks of seeing her baby bump grow.

The idea makes me want nothing more than to stay home with Winnie and Evie instead.

“Oh, I couldn’t impose.”

“Nonsense! We have more than enough room, and I would just love to have you out there with us! Oh, I must take you to the farmers market! I won’t take no for an answer!

” Penelope gets up with her phone in her hand, “Excuse me, I must get things ready for everyone's arrival!” After tapping a few things on her phone she brings it to her ear and begins speaking to someone about redecorating the room as she walks off.

I look over at Xavier in exasperation. “I mean–” I huff out a sigh.

“I guess I need to start packing.” The smile taking over his face makes my stomach flutter.

His smirk is downright panty melting, but when he really smiles?

It’s hard not to get entranced, and the chin dimple that appears there? Somehow makes him hotter.

“But I'll need to figure out work. I have at least a week of work I have to do. I have meetings and a deadline for one of my clients. Is there any way I can work remotely at the lodge?” I fiddle with my hands, feeling my anxiety creep in. I know I took a couple weeks off because of the holidays already, but I can’t afford to take another week off .

“I’ll make sure you have your own space set up to get some work done for that week.

There are enough rooms at my parents lodge that we can get you sorted somewhere you can focus on work.

” Xavier reassures me, so quickly and easily, that the butterflies in my stomach from earlier return.

I squash them just as quickly, reminding myself that this is all for show.

We aren’t really dating, and he’s doing this to display the good boyfriend role.

I force a smile. “That would be perfect, thank you.”

Xavier looks like he’s about to say something when Penelope bursts into the room with a huge smile on her face.

“It’s all settled! We will be leaving next Friday, so make sure you’re all packed up and ready to go!

Oh, this is just perfect!” She clasps her hands together with a dreamy look on her face.

“I’m so excited to have the whole family together at the lodge this holiday! ”

“Are you serious!?” Chloe sneers. “We’re just going to all spend time at the lodge together like some big old happy family?

Like this isn’t just a ruse they’re playing at?

” She’s glaring at me as she takes a step toward where Xavier and I are sitting on the couch.

Dalton grabs Chloe by the elbow and quietly says something to her.

His eyes quickly dart to me before returning to Chloe.

It’s too late. Chloe saw the shift in his attention.

She makes some sort of angry screech before she stomps toward the exit.

“ Fine !” she shouts. “Come on Dalton. We’re.

Leaving.” She has his hand gripped tightly and is dragging him out the room before he even has a chance to say goodbye.

“My goodness, what is up with her? I mean, honestly.” Penelope shakes her head before sitting on the arm of Theo’s chair, as he quickly wraps his arm around her. “Anyway, I’m so happy you guys will be coming to the lodge!”

“Yeah about that, Mom,” Xavier starts and the look on his moms face begins to fall.

“No, no. We’re still coming,” he clarifies before continuing.

“While I will be able to move things around to get the time off, Harper still needs to work for at least the first week we’re there.

She’s an editor, so she can do it remotely.

So she’s going to need a space of her own for the first week so she can get work done. ”

“Oh, absolutely no problem, we can make that work! Especially if that means you’re still going to be coming!” She sends hopeful eyes in my direction.

“If I can get my own space where I can work for a couple hours a day, then absolutely.” I give her a genuine smile, happy my work doesn’t have to suffer for this, and relieved at the load of stress I no longer have to face.

We spend the next half hour going over the events that will be happening during our trip.

The first week sounds like it's just getting ready for Christmas, with socializing and shopping. There are a few Christmas parties that Penelope informs us we will be attending. Xavier cuts in a time or two, asking about going skiing and some ice fishing. While his parents don’t seem to be entirely open to that idea, they still agree to it, nonetheless.

A yawn escapes my mouth before I can stop it. Xavier catches me trying to cover it, but stands up and offers his hand. I place my hand in his and he helps me stand.

“I think it’s time to head out. Thanks for having us for dinner.” Xavier has pulled me into his side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I follow suit by wrapping my arm around his waist.

I smile brightly at his parents. “Thanks so much for having me over. Dinner was delicious.”

Penelope grabs my hand with one of hers and pats the top of my hand with the other.

“It was a pleasure having you here. I’m so happy to see Xavier finally bringing someone around.

For a moment, I thought he would just stay single forever!

” I feel Xavier's body stiffens, and I look up at him to catch the way his jaw flexes.

He gives a forced smile before leaning forward to give his mom a kiss on the cheek.

He still has me tucked at his side, even after we’re away from everyone.

I don’t let go though, because it feels like he needs this comfort right now.

I begin to smooth my hand up and down his back as we walk.

He seems like he’s in a trance of some sort.

As I continue my motions, he begins to relax a bit more.

I finally decide to break the silence as we make it to the truck and he unlocks it, removing himself from my side to open my door for me again.

I get little flutters in my stomach every time he’s done this.

It’s something you don’t see anymore. I tilt my head up, studying him.

His jaw is still set in a tight form, and the look in his eyes seems like he was trying to keep me at arms length.

It is as if Xavier doesn’t want me to see the emotions that he’s holding back.

I place my hand gently on his forearm, and he flinches.

I remove my hand quickly, giving him an apologetic look.

“Where’d you go up in there?” I bring my hand up to my temple and give it a tap.

His eyes pierce mine for a minute before a soft smile appears on his face.

“It’s nothing. I’m sorry.” He runs his hand over his face and sighs heavily.

“It’s just—I dealt with some shit when I was younger, and it put me off from getting close to anyone.

I’m only telling you this so you understand the reason why I mentioned the two of us fake dating after we kissed.

I just need you to know that.” He pauses and looks off into the distance.

“It’s okay. I get it.” I say with as much support as I can portray in a look.

“You don’t have to give me your life story.

I don’t expect you to do that. I do want you to know that I got you, okay?

Whatever that means during this whole thing.

” I don’t give him a chance to respond as I hop into the truck and close the door myself.

He stands there for a minute before shaking his head and heading toward his side of the truck.

The drive home is quiet. The music is on low, and I watch the world pass as we drive back to my house.

I begin mentally making a list of everything that I will need to pack for this getaway.

It’s then that I realize I have zero winter gear of any sort.

Alright, then. I will be immediately ordering things when I get home.

I’m sure there isn’t that much that I need. Right?

The truck slows as Xavier turns into my driveway.

“Thank you for the ride. I guess I’ll see you next week?” I begin to unbuckle myself, when Xavier interrupts me. “Wait.” My eyes drop to the seatbelt .

“Oh no. I can get out by myself, it's fine.” I hear the click of the truck as he locks it while he runs around the truck, and then unlocking it before opening the door for me. “You know I am perfectly capable of getting myself out of your truck.”

That smirk that melts my panties appears on his face.

“And miss an opportunity to catch you when you fall?” He says it with such amusement, and it is a stark contrast to how he was when we left his parents.

He helps me down and walks me toward the front door.

I’m looking in my bag to grab my keys in case Evie locked the door.

“I just wanted to apologize for how I was when we left. My mom can seem like a good person, but she knows what to say to get under your skin.” When I turn to look at him, his hands are in his pocket and he’s looking down at his toes, shifting his weight.

When he looks up, I see the sincerity shining in his ocean blue eyes.

“It’s part of the reason I do my best and attempt to not attend these dinners.

I try to avoid the remarks about my single life, because that seems to always be the focus. Not my successes, like the clinic.”