Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 263

Chapter 263

Alina

There's a warmth that settles inside of me when the plates are scraped clean and the wine's been poured for the third time. We're all leaned back in our chairs around the

dining table, tired from turkey and from laughing too much, and full in every sense of the

word.

Zaid's fingers are resting lazily on my knee under the table, his thumb tracing small, absent circles. I glance at him, and he looks relaxed, also completely at peace.

As much as we like having this house to ourselves, having it filled with friends and family

is priceless.

Aiden's arm is slung across the back of Zoe's chair, Elena is swirling her wine with

mischievous smirk, and Noah's pretending not to notice.

"So," Elena says, tipping her head toward Aiden and Zoe. "How did you two meet?"

Aiden gives a soft laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "At school."

Zoe grins. "We had this athlete mixer during orientation week. I play volleyball for UCLA. Aiden was standing with a bunch of basketball guys, trying to look like he wasn't staring

at me."

Aiden groans with a laugh. "I was not staring at you."

"You absolutely were," she teases.

He smiles at her, like she is the light in his eyes. The same way Zaid looks at me.

"He looked so nervous. I had to walk over and introduce myself," she says, rubbing her

hand up and down his thigh.

and I catch the subtle pink creeping up Aiden's cheeks. His eyes flit to Zoe like she's the

face, in the softness of his smile, the way his body leans

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to deflect. "What about you, man? How'd you

to agree to marry

a sip of his whiskey. "Honestly?

wine, laughing.

her eyes dramatically and smacks Noah's arm. "No one

everyone here is invited to the wedding, by

soon. It'll

a collective cheer, followed by a chorus of excited questions

Zaid squeezes my knee.

go get dessert ready," I say, pushing back

slices of pie onto plates, I hear soft footsteps behind

confident smile.

help?" she asks, already

caught a little off guard. "Can you grab the

intent, like there's more she came in here for. "Actually, I just wanted

I blink. "With me?"

careful. "Aiden told me you two used to

you were

to

want there to be anything weird between us," she says

want Aiden to be happy. And he looks so happy with you. He like you

her smile turning shy for the first time. "I really like him. I

it's

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that's fast, but,I don't know.

that

weird?"

relaxing immediately. "Not

sure how much Aiden has told her exactly about how we used to date, but I'll leave that up to him. All I'm happy about is that there is some truth made known to her. They complement each other so well and I