Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 230

Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Not Fixed

Zaid and I stay in the living room longer than we probably should, sitting in the quiet of everything that's happened. The house feels heavier now and part of me feels like I've ruined everything.

His arm is draped along the back of the couch behind me, his thigh brushing mine. My heart races as I focus on that small touch. It might seem so insignificant, but it's like food

to a starving man.

We sit in silence, neither of us saying anything, but I don't complain. The silence is needed and his presence is enough.

Eventually, I sit up straighter, wiping my face with the sleeve of my shirt. "I'm gonna head up to bed."

Zaid shifts beside me. "Are you gonna be okay?"

I nod, offering a faint smile. "I'll deal with it."

It's the only honest answer I have. I lean in and press a kiss to his cheek, my lips brushing his skin for just a second too long.

"Thank you for sitting here with me."

His eyes trace the side of my face. "I feel like we need a do over for our birthday."

That makes me smile for real. "I wouldn't be opposed to that."

I try to get up, but his fingers curl gently around my wrist, stopping me.

He takes a breath like he's about to say something difficult. "I'm here for you, love."

My heart stutters. I meet his eyes, and all I see there is sincerity. There's no expectation, just him.

I nod, placing my hand lightly over his before managing to slip away. "I know."

I head upstairs, into the quiet of my room. The door clicks shut behind me, and I

half expect the weight of it all to crash over me, but it doesn't,

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I crawl into bed, and I sigh. The sheets are cool against my skin.

never come. I'm

sad.

The way he yelled. The way his voice cracked. The look in his

know he could

guilt in me settles like a stone

and shallow and

still

catches up.

then down

sit at the kitchen island with my journal, flipping past pages

my

feelings of chaos and hope. I click my pen and

thought onto the

Jake, about Elena, about Zaid. About

sometimes, but I think maybe that's

the journal, and head toward the coffee machine. The smell of fresh grounds calms me before

on the counter, and

Aiden.

across my

late, and then we had a special training session

">

it's okay. Your voice

about Elena and my therapy, like

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Then I breathe

and I broke

the way he tenses. Then he

to see you. But I didn't know that's how things were

"It just happened.

nod, even though he can't see me. "Yeah. Zaid's been

His voice softens. "You deserve that. I love you, okay? And it's only like a month and a half until I'm there, okay? After graduation, I'm

a warm way.

up just as Zaid walks into the

eyes.

a beeline for the coffeepot.

I smile at him, taking in

adds a little milk and honey into mine and