Page 132 of Changing Rules

“IsMilo at home all alone today?” she asks as I pull out of the driveway.

“Nah. I dropped him off with my parents last night. Figured he’d be happier that way.” I take a deep breath and quickly assess her before focusing on the road again. “Audrey and Ryan were there. Their son Mason too. So it was a bit awkward.”

Bella turns in her seat to look at me. “You really don’t talk to her at all?”

“Nope. And I’m fine with it.” I stop at a red light and look at her. “I’m sorry I didn’t set boundaries with her sooner. I’m sorry for Audrey’s behavior and my ignorance. I truly couldn’t believe she’d sabotage a relationship like that. She’s always meddled, but the shit she pulled was always harmless.” My throat clogs with emotion. Fuck, it kills me to think about how badly my sister betrayed me. “But she knew how much I love you, and she set out to hurt you anyway. There’s no forgiving her. Even if she acknowledged that what she did was wrong, she destroyed any trust I have in her. I hate that our parents are stuck in the middle, but I can’t forget.”

“Jess said it’s not about me. According to her, if you had loved Stacey the way you loved me, Audrey would’ve been against her too.” She licks her lips and glances out the window as the light turns green. “My therapist helped me stop doubting myself. She helped me understand I wasn’t the bad guy, even though Audrey tried her hardest to paint me as a villain.”

“Your therapist?”

“Do you really think I could make all these changes on my own?” She chuckles lightly. “Dr. Khan helped me to systemizethe mess in my head and figure out how to change my flaws, or at least accept them.”

“Your flaws?” I ask, frowning.

A puff of air escapes her. “I’m far from perfect, and if you don’t see that, I advise you to reconsider.”

“You are perfect for me, Bella. My perfect match.”

“Matches—”

“Burn. Yes. I haven’t forgotten what you said,” I counter softly. “But you won’t change my mind.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s no hiding her grin.

“I have a question for you,” I murmur. “Where should we go first? The Empire State Building? Or one of your favorite coffee shops?”

“Wait…” Her eyes go wide. “You’re taking me to New York?”

“Yup. The Big Apple is waiting for us, and I can’t wait to seeyourNew York. The city you love, the city that was your home for a year, the city that helped you find your true self.” I take her hand and lace my fingers through hers. “I want to see it all.”

CHAPTER 36

MISTY WINDOWS

BELLA

September

Three hoursafter 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’sBridge Over a Pond of Water Liliesby 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.

---