Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 223

A Long Story-2

I smile, a little shy, a little stunned. "Are you, are you married? Do you have kids?"

She laughs, wiping her cheek with a perfectly manicured finger. "No, not yet. My boyfriend's taking forever to propose, probably because he knows I'd say no."

She grins, and it's so contagious that I mirror her.

"I like things the way they are. I want kids eventually, but I haven't quite landed in that place yet."

I nod. "What do you do? For work?"

"I'm a private art curator," she says, eyes lighting up with something fierce and

proud. "I work with collectors and galleries around the world. Helps that I can work remotely most of the time, but I travel often."

"Art. Like dad."

She smiles widely. "Yeah, it runs in the family."

I smile again, more relaxed this time. Her eyes drift past me and land on someone behind me. Her lips curve into a knowing smile.

"Is that your boyfriend?" she asks lightly.

My cheeks go hot in a second. I glance over my shoulder.

Zaid is in the foyer, pacing. He's wearing one of his nicer button-downs, but his hands are stuffed awkwardly in his pockets and he keeps glancing at the ceiling like he's trying to calm himself down.

a way that looks almost

1. is.

look back at Elena.

up my neck. "But you want him to be,

1/3

A Long Story-2

my gaze again. "It's a long

with a graceful stretch, "it's a good thing we have the rest

the doorway and turns back to me with

introduce me properly,

leaf. Zaid tenses when he

you to my aunt," I whisper as I stand

him.

sweet smile

talk much, so we're out of

moment the front door closes behind us, I let out a long,

is quiet as he unlocks the car and climbs into the driver's seat.

to life, but he doesn't shift out of

him, the side of his jaw tight, his hands

coming with me." I say softly,

at me

was nervous. Scared, honestly. I don't think I

head, and his gaze catches mine. There's

his

eyes.