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.

almost intentional. He's not trying to be hot.

1. is.

back at

creeps up my neck. "But

1/3

A Long Story-2

sigh, dropping my gaze again. "It's a long

"it's a good thing we have the

and turns back to me with a

me properly, will

a newborn deer, trembling like a leaf. Zaid tenses

introduce you to my aunt," I whisper as

him.

offering Elena a sweet smile before extending

don't talk much, so we're out of the house

us, I let

unlocks the car

life, but he doesn't shift out of

of his

me."

doesn't look at me

nervous. Scared, honestly. I don't think

his gaze catches

his

eyes.