Page 125 of Changing Rules

“No.” His smile spreads wider. “In fact, it’s super hot.”

I laugh. “You’re impossible.”

Milo darts toward a water play area, so we wander that way.

“After you left, I told her I needed space, but then she showed up at my house.” He sighs. “I’d already realized that leaving words unspoken was one of my errors, so I figured I’d be frank. I invited her in, made her a cup of tea, and we had a talk. She may have been a factor in your decision to leave me, but my behavior wasn’t her fault. I was the one who fucked up our relationship.” Focus fixed on Milo, he roughs a hand through his hair. “I told her our friendship couldn’t stay the way it was, and she accepted it. She respected it. We text every couple of weeks, just to check on each other. But I haven’t seen her since that day.”

The butterflies in my stomach go crazy, making me squirm. The sensation is both incredible and irritating…and so fucking cute. “Thank you for telling me.”

“Thank you for listening. God knows I wanted to tell you the moment the pictures were published.”

I scratch at my bicep, a question burning on the tip of my tongue. “Why was she in your hoodie, though?”

He quirks an amused brow, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “As unrealistic as it sounds, she spilled tea on herself. I didn’t want her to leave my house in a stained tee, so I gave her my hoodie.”

“Okay.”

We stop, and, side by side, we watch Milo play with a big Doberman and a tiny Pomeranian. I smile, feeling almost weightless. It feels so good to be here, with him and Milo. My time in New York was amazing, and I healed in so many ways, but I never felt whole until I was in Xander’s presence again.

“Can I ask you something?” he asks, his hand brushing mine as he slides a bit closer to me.

“Sure.”

“Is Kevin out of your life? Or is he still bothering you?”

I turn, my eyes instantly hooked on his blue-green gaze. “He tried to stay in touch. He’d text from time to time, to let me knowabout his life. I never answered, and eventually I blocked him. I’ve finally left my past in the past.”

A slow, proud smile spreads across his face. “I’m glad to hear it.”

This close, his heat soaks into me, warming me, urging me to reach out to him, to touch his skin. So, I cross my arms over my chest to restrain myself and focus on Milo and his friends as they chase and yip at one another.

At first, I’m startled by the touch. As Xander drapes his arm over my shoulders, I suck in a breath. And when he presses his lips to my temple, a bolt of electricity spreads through my body. The way my little heart bangs inside my chest makes my knees weak.

“Thank you for agreeing to see me tonight,” he whispers. “I really needed it.”

I should step away. I should keep my distance. It’s what my brain tells me to do…but my brain’s demands are totally contradictory to what my heart wants.

And in this moment, my heart wins.

Snuggling closer, I put my head on his shoulder and say, “I really needed it too.”

CHAPTER 34

HIDE, BELLA

XANDER

September

Bella:

What time do you plan to pick up Milo? I’m at the gym now

Me:

Is it okay if I pick him up tomorrow? Our plane doesn’t land until late, and I’m wiped

Bella:

---