Page 102 of Love You Like This

“I don’t entirely know.” I pace in front of the row of sinks. “Everything’s been going really well with Xander.”

“I’ve noticed,” she says with a smile. “I love it.”

“Me, too.” I stop moving and look at her. “But I feel like the other shoe is about to drop or something. Like something is about to go terribly wrong.”

She takes in what I’m saying with a slow nod. “Do you think it’s because of your history with him? From what you’ve told me, everything was perfect and then it all came crashing down so fast. Maybe that’s just messing with your head?”

“Probably.”

“Have you tried talking to him about it?”

“No. He’s felt so much better since everything was settled with the paternity test. I don’t want to all of a sudden load him up with my own issues.”

“They’re not just your issues, though. It affects both of you. If you want this to work this time, you have to be a team.”

“You’re right. He wants me to stay with him tonight, so I’ll talk to him about it later.” I pull her in for a hug. “I’m so glad Stone jumped over that couch and brought you to us.”

“I know.” She hugs me back. “Even though I thought this was the worst idea ever conceived in the history of humankind.”

“Well, that’s extreme when someone brought mullets back on trend.”

She laughs as we walk out of the bathroom. “Stone won’t stop talking about growing one during the break between tour legs. I told him I’d move back to New York if he did.”

Stone and Xander are the only ones left waiting for us when we get out. Stone wraps his arm around Hazel’s shoulders and guides her out to the plane. I start to follow, but Xander grasps my arm and pulls me to him.

His lips come down on mine in a searing kiss. I sink my fingers into the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. We both lose ourselves for a moment. Voices from further down the terminal have me pulling back.

“What was that for?” I ask a bit breathlessly.

“Since I’ll be stuck on a plane with you for hours and unable to touch or kiss you.” He starts leading us out.

“Get it out of your system?” I ask with a laugh.

“I’ll never have you out of my system,” he says with so much seriousness I nearly stumble. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I smile up at him. “My heel must have caught a crack in the pavement.”

“One foot in front of the other, Freckles.” He takes my bag from my hand, even though he’s got a guitar strapped to his back and his own bag to deal with.

“I’ll try to remember that.”

Thirty-Seven

XANDER

Normally the night after a big tour leg finishes, the label throws us a party. This time we passed, including Tobias, which was unexpected but probably the right call. I’ve never been happier to walk into my own house than I am right now. Especially with Jade’s hand in mine.

In my opinion she should just move in. She can keep her bungalow, maybe rent it out or sell it. Whatever makes her feel most comfortable. We’ve already lived together, doing it again will feel completely natural for us.

I close the door behind us and flip the deadbolt. She slides her coat off her shoulders and looks around.

“Do you have a place I can hang this up?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I take the coat and toe off my shoes. “I’ll put it in my closet and then bring the bags back, too.”

The sound of her high heeled boots dropping to the floor follows me down the hall. I get her coat hung and turn to see her in the threshold with both of my suitcases. She smiles at me, and the love I feel for her nearly knocks me to my knees.

“I guess I’ll need to clear space for you in here.”