Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 245

Secrets of Us: A Forbidden Love Romance

Chapter 245

The scent of grilled corn and charred vegetables still lingers in the, mixing with our laughter bouncing off the walls.

The kitchen's a mess, the table even worse, crumbs and scattered plates, a few used napkins, and the worn box of a board game that's seen better days.

We're gathered around it now, our plates cleared, drinks half finished Aiden leans back in his chair with his arms crossed, grinning like what happened earlier had not in fact happened.

Zaid's sitting beside him, elbows on the table, eyes full of amusemer as he counts spaces on the board with narrowed eyes. He looks back at his cards and frowns.

I smile to myself as the game continues, watching them get competitive over croissants, taking over a castle.

It's ridiculous, but I can't remember the last time I laughed this hard

And it's not like the hurt is gone. It's still tucked somewhere deep in my chest, bruised and tender. But right now? With both of them here, smiling, everything feels okay.

"You cheated," Aiden mutters, pointing a chip shaped like a croissant at Zaid. "You definitely skipped like three squares."

Zaid raises a brow. "You really think I'd cheat at Croissant Castle?"

Aiden shrugs, smirking. "You cheated at Uno last summer. I haven't forgotten."

"I didn't cheat, I strategized." Zaid leans back in his chair.

"Oh my god," I laugh, covering my mouth as I shake my head. They get competitive over the smallest things.

“I'll be right back, I have to pee,” Aiden says, standing up and stretching. "Try not to sabotage me while I'm gone."

Zaid salutes him with his cup and waits until he disappears down the hallway before turning to me. His eyes soften the second we're

alone.

"How are you feeling? We haven't had a moment alone so that I can check up on you."

topic. "I'm sad, but I feel good about how it

for a beat longer.

I nod.

he nods.

19

a second I'd forgotten we

knows exactly what just went through my head. I'm gonna sleep on the couch. We need to figure out

"You

can sleep with

I offer without

falters just a touch, not with rejection, but softness. He leans forward and presses a

1/3

Chapter 245

stay out here," he whispers. "Aiden might've been thinking about breaking up with you for a while, but he loves you. I don't wanna throw salt

My throat tightens.

Zaid adds. "And it might take a little time before he's okay seeing it's

reaching across the table to touch his hand. "I get it.

go just as Aiden comes back into

room.

two plotting my downfall?"

have to plot, I

let's see," Aiden

fall back

past midnight before Aiden starts blinking slower,

tapping out," he mumbles, rubbing his eyes. "I'm

sleepiness playing behind my own eyes and I nod.

before getting up.

we both

up the

get some blankets for you," I say, needing some time

need to sleep on the couch. We clean

the time we're turning

night, although Zaid is not by my side, I do sleep. There's a calm in my