Page 16 of Love is Blind

You’re finally living for something. And I think I finally am.

Xander didn’t want to take any chances for mine and Abby’s girl’s day. He completely booked some exclusive spa and ordered us the works. Hair, facials, nails, skin, massages, everything a girl can wish for. I have never felt more relaxed and pampered in my entire life. After hours of relaxation, we finally got hungry and left for another fully booked restaurant to have brunch. At the spa, Xander kept his distance, but now I can feel his presence a table away.

Abby and I order some champagne and appetizers while we wait for our main dishes. She tells me about all the shops and styles she thinks I’ll look cute in. Throughout our entire meal, we giggle and share stories of our life. She tells me how she grew up poor but always had big dreams, even if she didn’t know what she wanted to do with those dreams. I tell her about my life before that prick, Adrian. The entire morning and afternoon feels light and well overdue as we start to finish our food.

“I’m stuffed.” Abby says.

“Too stuffed to go shopping?” I ask, knowing damn well she’s not.

“Ummm, no. Not that stuffed. I have it all planned out. You ready?” I give her a nod and push back from the table. I’m barely about to sit up when Xander is there, his arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me to him.

Xander’s hot breath tickles my neck. “How was your meal, baby?” I suck in a breath at the contact as his lips reach my skin and he lines a soft and gentle kiss.

“I-it was delicious. Thank you.” My entire body lights up at this man’s touch. He guides me through the restaurant to the front, where the car is parked. “Also, thank you for today. I know you probably have work stuff, but I really appreciate you doing all of today.” He pulls me up short of the car.

“Wren, baby. I would do anything for you. Any of us would. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and today is the most I’ve seen you smile all month. I like to see you happy, Little Bird. Work will be there when we are done.” As if I could fall for this man any harder, he has to go and be all romantic, like a character in one of my books. This time, I initiate the contact, leaning my head up for an obvious kiss. Xander doesn’t disappoint, reading my signal loud and clear as he leans down and our lips connect. It’s a tender kiss at first, but I want more. Reaching up, I wrap my arms around Xander’s neck and deepen the kiss with all the passion and feelings I’m too afraid to tell him. I’m so lost in the feeling of me wrapped in Xander’s arm, I almost jump five feet into the air when Abby loudly clears her throat behind us.

“Sorry to interrupt, but this is still technically a girl’s day. So Wren is still mine for a few more hours. Xander, you can have her tonight. Plus, we are late, so let’s go.” Xander lets out a deep chuckle at Abby’s words, and the sound does nothing to calm my damn raging hormones. I release Xander and step back, smoothing down the dress I wore today.

“Sorry. You’re right. Where to next?” I ask, trying to focus on anything but wanting to climb Xander like a damn monkey climbs a tree. Luckily, Abby jumps right into talking about this small boutique she found a few years ago.

It doesn’t take long to get to the little boutique. Just like at the spa and restaurant, Xander sends two guys who have been driving in a separate car ahead first to check the shop over. I’m sure to anyone watching this, it makes it seem like we are important superstars or something. I try to ignore the embarrassment, but it’s no use. Every time one of the guys does this, I flame red. I tried to explain how this makes us stand out even more, but was promptly told my safety was not to be taken lightly. I tried to imagine what the guys would be like if they were dads with a kid and how they would act, but I immediately shook my head at that thought. There is no way I should be picturing these men as fathers.

A light tap on the window is the signal that the coast is clear. Abby steps out first and I follow. We left Ares with the guys today, since we didn’t know how he would handle the spa and shopping. It would be my luck if he decided he didn’t like shopping like me and used some expensive material as a chew toy or worse, a tree or a bush.

“Aww, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Ashford.” Entering the shop feels like hitting a brick wall of floral tasting air. There is so much perfume coming from the lady who greeted us. I start to sneeze. I don’t even have time to correct her greeting. I could kiss Xander right now as he pulls the woman to the other side of the store and Abby pulls me in the opposite direction. The moment I have clean air, the sneezing stops.

“What was that about?” Abby asks before connecting the dots and chuckling, “Oh. I’m sorry. I should have warned you. MissDumont, the owner, is heavy-handed with her perfume. Super nice lady, but man, that perfume is a bit much to swallow.” I wave away her concern.

“It’s fine. I just wasn’t ready. You know, since losing my eyesight, all my other senses went into a kind of overdrive, or it was a bit much at first, but I’ll be good next time.”

“Okay. Well, this shop has very cozy and comfy vibes. So why don’t you feel some of the material and let me know if you like the feel of any of them while I go grab a few outfits I think you might like?” I give her a nod and reach out, feeling for the rack of clothing while adjusting my purse over my shoulder.

I’m a few minutes in of exploring all the many textures under my palm when I hear my phone vibrate in my purse. Only a selected few people have my number and call me. Assuming it’s one of the guys not with me or Amber, I answer. My speaker has been off since the spa, so I didn’t get to hear who it actually was.

“Do you miss me, Dolly?” The voice on the other end of the phone causes every muscle in my body to lock as icy fear races down my spine. He found me. My mind struggles to stay in the present as memories of a living nightmare flash through my eyes. “Because I miss you, Dolly. I see you moved on. I thought we were in love, sweetheart. I grieved for you. I thought you were dead, Wren.” His words are like strikes of pain across my skin.

“Wh-what do y-ou want, want, Adrian?” I’m trying to be strong. I really am, but it’s all so overwhelming. I hear Abby step up next to me.

“Hey, Hey, are you okay?” I know she’s there, but the moment she places her hand on my shoulder, my body reacts and I flinch away. “Wren. Who are you talking to? What’s wrong?”

Mustering up everything I have left, I whisper, “A-adrian.” The sound of footsteps bolting away is all I hear before the man who stars in all my nightmares speaks again.

“Abby is such a pretty little thing. Don’t you think? Oh wait, you have no idea what she looks like. What happens when those fuck toys of yours notice her more? When they realize you’re nothing more than a hole to bury their dicks in. Why don’t you come home? We can put the last two years behind us. I’ll even forgive you for opening your legs to multiple men behind my back. What do you say? I’ll even promise to leave your friend alone.” His voice hasn’t changed since back then. It’s still cold, unfeeling, and cockier than ever, but he still knows how to get to me. The mention of Abby has me straightening my spine. I can’t let him win this time.

“W-what do you want, Adrian?” This time, my voice sounds stronger until his next words hit me like a bullet to the heart.

“That’s easy baby. I want my Dolly back.”

Chapter thirteen

XANDER

WatchingWrentodayhasme feeling some new type of way. At the spa, she was relaxed and at ease, a blissful look upon her face the entire time. I watched her from the shadows. Not that I was hiding. She knew I was there, but I couldn’t take my eyes off this version of her. At the restaurant, I was only a table away and listened as the girls gossiped about their lives. I learned a lot from just listening.

My little bird had big dreams. She wanted to see the world and experience new things. I noticed how she avoided any conversation about Adrian. The moment you mention him, she completely changes the topic. I can’t blame her. Before today, she was still afraid of little things. Mav mentioned he caught her jumping at the sound of her shop’s front doorbell. Jax has seen her flinch at the loud noises. And I’ve seen the way she sometimes stays quiet around the house, almost like she is afraid to make a noise.

From what she’s told us about her relationship with Adrian, I can’t blame her. He trained her to be afraid of everything. To be seen but not heard. Just the thought of that bastard stirs the rage within. We still haven’t caught the slippery fuck. The prick is playing games and I’m getting sick of it. He thinks he has the upper hand, but someone can only hide for so long.

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