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.

up Aiden's cheeks. His eyes flit to Zoe like she's the only person in the room. Oh, this man is

told, it's all over his face, in the softness of his smile, the way

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to Noah, trying to deflect. "What about you,

agree to

a sip of his whiskey. "Honestly?

my wine, laughing. "Me?

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

was just time. And everyone here is invited to the

It'll be

a collective cheer, followed by a chorus of

Zaid squeezes my knee.

ready," I say, pushing back

start arranging slices of pie onto plates, I hear soft footsteps behind me. I turn and see Zoe walking in,

confident smile.

asks, already walking to

yeah,” I say, caught a little off guard. "Can

it on the counter before looking at me with intent, like there's

I blink. "With me?"

me a smile that's warm but careful. "Aiden told me you two used to

it ended amicably. That you were always in love

nod, smiling softly, not able to stop the heat crawling

be anything weird between us,"

weird between us either. I want Aiden to be happy.

bites her lip, her smile turning shy for the first

it's

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fast, but,I

that

weird?"

relaxing immediately. "Not

him. All I'm happy about is that there is some truth made