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,

1/4

Not Fixed

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

never come. I'm not heartbroken. I'm not

sad.

reaction replays in my mind. The way he yelled. The way his voice cracked. The look

know he could

the guilt in me settles

and shallow and full of blurry dreams

is still

catches up.

hall, then down

kitchen island with my journal,

my

and my feelings of chaos and hope. I click my pen

onto

recount everything about Jake, about Elena, about Zaid.

but I think maybe

The smell of

the

Aiden.

my

baby," he says, a little breathless. "Sorry I didn't call yesterday. Practice ran late, and then we had a special training session for

">

“Aiden, it's okay. Your voice

for a while. I tell him about Elena and my

2/4

Not Fixed

always does. Then I breathe

and I broke

practically hear the way he tenses. Then

But I didn't know that's

either," I admit. "It just happened. It

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

His voice softens. "You deserve that. I love you, okay? And it's only like

chest aches in a warm way. "I can't wait to see

goodbye and I hang up just as Zaid walks into the kitchen, rubbing sleep

eyes.

makes a beeline for the

smile at him, taking in the expanse

us each a cup, then adds a little milk and honey into mine and hands it