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 only person in the room. Oh, this man

softness of his smile, the

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

agree to

of his whiskey. "Honestly? I think it was all Alina's

nearly choke on my wine,

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

is invited to the wedding, by the way. I'll send out

soon. It'll be

collective cheer, followed by a chorus

Zaid squeezes my knee.

get dessert ready," I say, pushing back from the table

hear soft footsteps behind me. I turn and see Zoe walking

confident smile.

any help?" she asks, already walking to the

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

the counter before looking at me with intent, like there's more she came in here for. "Actually, I just

I blink. "With me?"

warm but careful. "Aiden told me you

ended amicably. That you were always

smiling softly, not able to stop the heat crawling up my

don't want there to be anything weird between us,"

either. I want Aiden to be happy. And he looks so happy with you. He like you so much more than he's

her lip, her smile turning shy for the

it's

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Chapter 263

that's fast, but,I don't

that

weird?"

laugh, relaxing immediately. "Not even a

we used to date, but I'll leave that up to him. All I'm happy about is that