Page 149 of Show Me

“What did you think vet meant?” Ben asks.

I laugh, shaking my head.

Emily squeezes my hands. “That’s perfect for you.”

Triple lines form on Bella’s forehead as her eyes rake over my face. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell us?” There’s no accusation in her tone, but there’s no mistaking the hint of hurt on her face. It matches the expression on Emily’s face.

“You both knew what you wanted to do after high school.” I lift my shoulder. “And I didn’t. I felt out of place with no goals. After about a year, I decided to start taking classes, but kept it to myself in case I dropped out.”

Bella rolls her eyes. “That’s bullshit. We didn’t have everything figured out. I went to school to be an accountant, and now I’m taking cosmetology classes instead.”

“None of us knew what we were doing at that time.” Emily’s face is soft with worry. “You didn’t have to keep it from us. We wouldn’t have cared if you took one class and dropped out after the first week. You can tell us anything.”

I know I can tell them anything. They love me unconditionally, except when it comes to Xavier and me. I inhale, straightening my shoulders. “I knew you wouldn’t hold it against me, but I wanted to figure it out before I said anything.”

Emily nods. “That makes sense.”

Bella studies me for another second, then pulls me into a hug. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks.” My heart pangs at her praise. Having their support is important to me.

When she lets me go, the room picks back up around us: conversation, laughter, someone already changing the subject. I lean back, and my gaze drifts to the kitchen without meaning to. Xavier’s there, leaning against the counter, talking to Dominic.

He looks up, just for a second. He gives a small nod, letting me know he’s also proud of me. For opening up about my fears. For sharing my plans. I nod back before turning away.

Later, I end up near the kitchen counter, reaching for a drink at the same time he sets one down.

“Here.” He slides one closer to me.

“Thanks.” Our fingers brush. Brief. Easy. Neither of us reacts even though my heart skips a beat. He leans closer, voice low, “I’m proud of you for telling everyone about school.”

I lick my lips, eyes meeting his. “It wasn’t as hard as I expected.”

“Good. These are your friends. You don’t have to worry about them making you feel less than.’

“I know.” The warmth from his touch makes my knees weak. But it’s gone too soon.

He shifts back toward the conversation, picking up whatever Dominic was saying without missing a beat.

I lean against the counter, taking a sip, listening to half a dozen conversations overlap. Ben and Sam arguing over a new recipe and whether it was a disaster. Jake trying to prove a point no one’s listening to. Bella laughing too loud at something Caleb says.

It’s familiar. All of it. Grounded.

Across the room, Xavier moves through it like he always does, talking, listening, scanning for me without making it obvious. He doesn’t stand next to me. Doesn’t need to. We’re not doing that here.

But now and then, he glances at me. Checking in. I don’t hold the look. Don’t turn it into anything that anyone else would comment on because that’s the rule. But I’d give anything to slide into his arms like Bella and Emily do their boyfriends.

By the time the room settles into smaller conversations, I’m back on the couch between Emily and Bella, half-listening, half-watching everything unfold.

Xavier leans against the far wall, arms crossed, talking to Jake now. He looks comfortable, like he belongs here. Like none of this is forced.

We don’t sit together. We don’t touch. We don’t explain.

But when his gaze finds mine this time, it’s easy to hold it for a beat longer. He winks with that half smirk that I both love and hate and shifts his attention over to Sam and Ben who’re arguing again about something else.

Somehow, we’ve found a rhythm that works. For now… that’s enough.

Chapter Seventy-Nine