Chapter b78/bb: /bbLa /bbPOV /b

    I’m a bit disappointed when Xavier leans back and breaks the kiss. But I also appreciate it, because I don’t want to have our first ‘real‘ kiss to be in parking lot after I told him I don’t trust him to not be a dick to a preschooler

    Without another word, he helps me into the car, closes my door, and heads to the driver’s side.

    As the car rumbles down the road towards Xavier’s dad’s house, I’m a nervous wreck inside. I honestly don’t know what to expect.

    Xavier must feel my nervous energy that’s palpitating the air around me, because he suddenly reaches over the center console, takes my hand gently in ins,ces our fingers together in myp, and then says with a confidence I’m envious of, “No matter what happens when we get there, I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let anything happen to you. And if there are any financial implications, we’ll find a solution together”

    With a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, the only reply I can give him is a vague one as I say, “Thanks.”

    A few minutester, we pull up to bthe /bmansion, and I just sit there, staring apprehensively up at the cream marble pirs and double front doors ias /iiif /ithey are the gates of hell themselves.

    Xavier steps from the car and then pausesb, /bgiving me some extra seconds bto /bgather my thoughts and strength. Here goes nothing, I suppose. I haven’t even lifted my hand properly to reach for my door handle before Xavier opens it with a flourish, somewhat lightening my somber mood. With a grateful smile, I step out and let him lead me to the front door with a guiding hand at my lower back.

    We haven’t even ced our foot on the bottom steps leading to the front door before the one swings open and Moiraes barreling towards me, arms spread, and a smile that shines with motherly love shining brightly on her face. How sad is it that this woman who is practically a stranger to me, cares more for me and is more excited to see me than my own goddamn mother.

    My reaction is visceral and instantaneous. With a sob, I pick up my pace and skip the steps two at a time, into her waiting armsi. /iOnce there, she holds me like we haven’t seen each other in years. It’s warm, it’s loving, it’s emotion–filled, and it speaks of a bond that was forged in a short time but is deeper than the one I have with my mom.

    “Sweetheart,” she eventually says as she leans back to give me a onceb–/bover, “you look good. I’m d to see Tessa’s been looking after you.”

    “Moira, I might not have my life together right nowb, /bbut I know how to look after myselfb, /bthank you very much,” bI /bsass her yfully, and her breturning /bsmile lightens my mood further..

    “Come,e, let’s get inside and catch up some before you need to go see Mr. Reedb,/b” she says bas /bshe hustles us inside and to the kitchen.

    “Why, hello, Moira, bit’s /bbso /bnice to see youb, /btoo. I’m doing very well myself, thank you for asking,” Xavier sarcastically says with a naughty grin when she didn’t even acknowledge him behind me. I giggle behind my hand because I have a sneaking suspicion he’s about bto /bget whacked over the head with something for being mouthy to her.

    bAs /bsuspected, once we’re in the kitchenb, /bMoira turns around with a speed that belies her small stature and then smacks Xavier in the chest bwith /bba /bwooden spoon. “Don’t you mouth off to me, young man. I’m not afraid of your height. I’ll easily bring you back to earth with a strategically ced knee,” she threatens with no real heat behind her wordsb. /b

    “Ouch,” Xavier pouts as he rubs at the spot where bthe /bspoon made contact. She didn’t hit him hard enough to leave a mark or even bruise, but I’m sure it still stings.

    “Nowi, /iwhat do you say to an olddy like myself?” Moira asks as she cocks a brow at him, hands on her hips.

    Looking like a thoroughly chastised kid, Xavier closes the gap between them, leans down, and kisses her cheek before saying. “I’m sorry, Moira.”

    With a wink in my direction, she says, “Very good.“I’m struggling to hold in myugh as Xavier walks over to the kitchen ind to sit on one of the barstools, looking as if someone kicked his puppy/Wholly unaware that Moira’s shitting with him.

    We chit–chat amongst each other as Moira bustjes around the kitchen, either to boil water for tea or to te up some snickerdoodle cookies for usb. /bOnce done, shees over to Xavier, where he sits beside me, and lightly kisses his cheek as she ces his own small te with cookies in front of bhim/b.

    “You look good, Xavier, How did the game gost night?” bshe /bbasks /bgenuinely. Excitedly, he tells her about their amazing game and bhow /bbthey /bwon by

    bI /bsit quietly and nibble on ba /bcookie, watching and listening to them as she gives him her undivided attention while he leaves no bdetail /bbout /b

    b1/2 /b

    bChapter /b78: La bPOV /b

    wattan

    Must, the oven to me so I bcan /bi what I’ve been up yo daring the test if the work anri i

    i test, band /bthe trendy knows mot it what I’m telling her. That don’t mly with added details that would have gotten lost via btest /b

    be from

    ting brandy

    We talk about anything and rything, exrays the elephant in the room why in here in the first ce.

    Hallway through my second cup of tea and with my sides hurting from all theughing we’ve been doing, we beat the frmd door bconversation/b, thinking it’s maybe Joséing to say hello, knowing he’ll slot into ourpanionable conversation as if he sa

    Unfortunately, I am not that lucky, though,

    Two seconds before she enters the kitchen, her high heels clicking on the marble floors can be heard approaching us.

    bStepping /binto the kitchen, my mother nces around, greeting no one. When her eyesnd on me, though, they harden around the earners, but in that would fool no one, she singsongs, “Sweetheart, I’m so d you’re here.”

    “Hi, Mom,” I sayb, /bunable to give her much more of a response than that.

    Stepping closer, she leans her one hand on the counter in front of me, tapping her nails brhythmically /bas her following words ruin the perfect bday /bhaving thus far, “You missed meeting your future fiancéest night.”

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