Page 12 of Changing Rules

“Babe, avoidance won’t work with me. I’ll hound you until you tell me what’s wrong.”

With a long exhale, I purse my lips. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know what, exactly?” He chuckles, clearly amused. Unlike me. “Do you like interior design?”

I shift, narrowing my eyes at him. “I love it.”

“Do you want to work as an interior designer one day? Like as a point person, not just helping your cousin with event planning.”

“I…I do,” I stammer, my stomach twisting with nerves. “I want that.”

“Then it’s settled. Find the program you like most and apply.” He shrugs, a carefree smile lighting up his face.

As if it’s just that easy.

“But this is…” My voice cracks, and I fall silent again.

“Let me ask you something else,” he says, softening his tone. “What scares you?”

“Submission deadlines are coming up, and since we’re leaving for vacation on Friday, I only have four days to get all the forms turned in.” Xander opens his mouth, but I quickly cut him off. “Don’t even say we can move our vacation.”

“I wasn’t going to.” He laughs, resting his head against the seat. “I went all in planning that California trip so I could give you the perfect birthday gift. So, no, postponing our vacation hasn’t crossed my mind.”

“Happy to hear that,” I murmur, taking him in. He’s caring and loving and so damn hot. Every time I catch myself ogling him, I can’t believe he’s with me. “I can’t wait to see the hotel in person. The photos blew my mind.”

“I hope you love it.”

I hold out my hand, and he instantly takes it, wrapping his fingers gently around mine. He brings the back of my hand to his lips and kisses it.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You don’t need to thank me.” He cocks a brow. “And I know what you’re doing. We’re not changing the subject, babe,” he chides, his tone turning serious.

I roll my eyes. I was naive to think he’d drop his interrogation.

“Let’s imagine you applied in time and got accepted,” he goes on. “What else is worrying you?”

I sigh, my shoulders sagging. “I liked the New York school the most. It has everything I’m looking for…” Lips pressed together, I look away from him. “They do have online classes, like Ben said, but I think I’d get so much more out of attending in person.”

“So apply for in-person classes.” He shrugs as he turns into his parents’ neighborhood.

“What about us?” I whisper, willing the heat behind my eyes to dissipate. “I’d have to leave Boston for a year.” I was lonely every time he traveled for games last season. Being apart for a year? I can’t do that.

“New York isn’t that far away. We’ll visit each other when we can. We’ll FaceTime and call and text constantly.”

“It won’t be the same.” I slowly untangle my hand from his.

“New York is about?—”

My chest constricts painfully. “Xander, please. Stop.”

He’s suffocating me. All this pressure isn’t doing me any good, and I especially can’t deal with it right before dinner with his parents. I don’t want to be moody or grumpy tonight, especially because there’s a chance Audrey will be here too.

“Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?” I plead. “I don’t want to be a mood killer.”

“I’m sorry if I pushed too much.” He stops the car in the driveway and turns to face me. “I was angry with your family when they got pushy last week, and now I’m doing it myself.”

“I love you.” I tilt closer and plant a kiss on his lips.

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