Page 101 of Hunter

“We’re just worried about you,” she said, and for the first time, I noticed how tired she looked.

I felt my shoulders sagging, and the fight I was so ready to have with them left me in one soft exhale.

I knew they were just looking out for me.

They might have gone about it the wrong way, but they were just worried.

“I’ll come over and visit soon,” I promised. “As soon as work stops being so busy.”

She looked at me, and I shot her a small smile, one that she returned.

It was better than I had expected it to be when I opened the door to them.

I walked up and wrapped my arms around her.

She stiffened slightly against me, but didn’t pull away right away.

Dad stood up and wrapped the both of us in his arms, and it felt like I was twelve again, when my parents had been my world, and things didn’t seem so scary.

Despite their flaws, I knew they loved me. I knew I was luckier than most.

“My girls,” Dad said, and I smiled a little.

“Who is this friend you’re meeting?” Mom asked.

I blinked over at her. “Just someone from my building.”

She shot me a knowing look. I was sure my face probably said it all.

“Just as long as it’s not too serious. You know we want you to marry well. My friend Sophie has a son who is moving back home after med school. John is handsome and smart. I’m sure you kids would really hit it off.”

“Right,” I said.

I didn’t bother trying to argue with her. Especially with her telling me she hoped my relationship with Xavier wasn’t too serious.

But it felt serious.

Despite the short period, Xavier felt like he was either going to be my greatest love story, or my most painful heartbreak.

I looked away from her as they pulled away, and I walked my parents to the elevator.

Dad pressed the button for the lobby, and we stood there silently, waiting for it to come up.

I resisted the urge to shift on my feet.

It didn’t matter that things seemed to be okay between us. There was never a natural flow between my parents and me.

I always felt awkward with them, and I had to stop myself from letting out a sigh of relief when the elevator doors finally opened and they got in.

I smiled and waved as the doors closed, and then I let out a small sigh.

I hoped they didn’t think it would be okay to just drop by my apartment unannounced from now on.

The door behind me clicked open, and Xavier walked out his apartment door, then.

I knew I lit up at the sight of him, and I told myself to try to control my expression, to not give away all of my cards, but I couldn’t help myself.

“Hey,” I said as he walked up to me.

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