AllFreeNovel
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I’d been taking care of myself for years.
“You live a couple blocks over from the diner.” My eyes flicked to the door. Poppy was over at Sofia’s, and Lily and Kaiden were hanging out downstairs while her mom and dad did some last-minute shopping.
“I still don’t like it.”
“Well, I’m not some damsel in distress you need to save… again,” I added. “I can walk a couple of blocks, Xander. I’ll be fine.
Besides, I didn’t want to see him again with diner-scented hair and a layer of grease clinging to my skin.
“Fine. But I want you to call me the second you leave.”
“Yes, Dad.” Laughter swelled inside of me.
“Hey, I might be older than you, but I’m not that old.”
This was nice, talking to him, laughing with him like we were just a regular couple. Not that we were… I mean, we hadn’t discussed it.
“Peyton?” Concern laced his voice.
“I… what are we, Xander?”
The beat of silence taunted me. And then he said four little words that made my heart flutter.
“Mine. You’re mine, Peyton.”
“Okay.”
“Okay? Is that all you have to say?” he teased.
“I didn’t… we didn’t talk about it. I didn’t want to assume—”
“Hey, this—you and me—it’s new and complicated, but I’m not looking to share you with anyone.” I heard his unspoken words.
Especially Bryan.
“I don’t want to share you with anyone either.”
“Good. So, I’ll see you on Sunday?”
“Yeah. I’ll—”
“Peyton,” Lily called from downstairs.
“Shit,” I clambered off my bed going to the door. “Lily is coming, I have to go.”
I half-expected him to freak, but he didn’t. Instead, his gruff laughter filled the line. “Go, I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye.” I hung up and flung my cell down on the desk.
“Peyton?” Lily knocked on my door.
“Hey.” I opened it. “What’s up?”
“We’re going to meet Bryan and Gav down at Riverside. They have that cute little Christmas market. Do you want to come?”
“I’m all set for a Christmas movie marathon.” I motioned to my pajamas and fluffy socks. I was going to ask her to hang out with me until Kaiden showed up.
But I didn’t begrudge them. She was happy. Happier than I’d ever seen her.
