Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 220

Leather Journals

The rest of the trip passes in by in contentment. Peace.

We don't have another confrontation or a deep conversation, and I'm thankful for it. Even

more thankful that we aren't forced to share a bed again.

When Zaid woke up, he pulled away like I had burned him.

And maybe I had.

I burn for him.

For once, things are easy. We exist in the same space without feeling the need to fill the silence, and it doesn't feel like something is missing. It feels full in its own

quiet way.

I rest my head against the window, watching the blur of trees and signs pass. Zaid hums along to the music, tapping the wheel in rhythm, and every now and then, he glances at

1. me.

I never look directly at him, because although I feel better than I have in days, sometimes it's still too much. The heaviness hasn't disappeared completely, but it's settled. Like we're learning how to carry it.

We had to stop by and buy a couple of coats and blankets, neither one of us used to the

weather this far east and north.

By the time we reach Virginia, the sun is low, casting everything in a beautiful orange light.

The air smells different here, fresher, cleaner. Hopeful, almost. And the glass against my

cheek is cold.

Zaid pulls off the road and drives up the narrow gravel path that winds around a gentle hill. When the house comes into view, my breath catches.

It's exactly how I remember it from the listing. The white wood, the wraparound porch, the tall windows that I just know make the house feel light and bright.

My eyes shift to the sign in the front yard and the large bold letters that spell out 'sold'.

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Leather Journals

sadness creeping

and when I turn to face him, there's a

confused, and turn back

car in park and unlocks

got it?" I

nods. "Made some calls. Got my dad to help. We bought

mouth falls open and I just stare at him.

more words. I'm already unbuckling, flying out of the car,

porch and around

in my eyes when I see the

are touching the water. It's even better than I

hands over my mouth. "It's beautiful,"

beside me, quiet, watching me with soft eyes. His hands

perfect."

where the lockbox is. My heart hammers in my

big open rooms, windows that

of him, exploring room by room, pointing things out,

each space

Zaid says. "Pick out whatever rooms you want.

living room, arms wide like I can

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stop and look at him with narrowed eyes. "I can't believe you bought it without

all casual. "It's the house you wanted. I

it."

chest. Warm and painful and

bags. I mostly hover, pretending to

the floor and admire the

it hits me, too

flashes behind my eyes. A

running across the porch.

blink hard and shove it away, clutching my chest. Not now. I need to focus

order takeout, Thai, and eat cross-legged on

humming from Zaid's phone, and blankets spread out like a little camp in the middle of

Simple. And then Zaid shifts, reaching for his

have something for

insecure. I lean toward

He's already given me so

leather-bound journal, smooth and new, blank pages waiting to be filled. I run my hands over the cover, then flip through the empty