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He straightens the cuffs of his shirt and nods. “I’m going to tell her.”
I roll my eyes and walk away. “Whatever you say.” I leave him alone in my bedroom and use the short walk to the house to take deep breaths. I’m done letting him call the shots. Nausea fills me every time I have to look at Emery. His promises of ending his marriage are false ones. I won’t sit around to let him have his cake and eat it anymore.
My anger has taken a backseat by the time I’ve reached the house, even if I still feel anxious. Emery is already mingling with the guests with a glass of red wine in her hand.
“I never pegged you as the type to throw your boyfriend a party,” Francesca teases.
I’m very aware of Xavier standing behind me. He doesn’t make his presence known until he walks past me without saying anything.
I shoot her a pointed look. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Such a shame because he’s soniceto look at.“ She tilts her head and stares at Huxley as he walks in with three people behind him.
His black shirt is moulded to his body. He teases every woman in the room, leaving the top two shirt buttons undone. My eyes rake down his body to his black suit pants, and shoes.
“A beige suit with a black base? Brave,” Francesca says.
She’s right. Not many men could pull off the contrasting colours. But Huxley does. His hair is pulled into his signature bun. I stay on my side of the room and watch as he accepts the birthday wishes with a stony expression. He introduces the people behind him, who are more excited to be here than him. It doesn’t take a genius to know they’re his family.
His mum hasn’t stopped smiling since she walked in. Her blonde hair and green eyes weren’t inherited by Huxley but were by his sister. Hadley watches her brother in amusement. Every time he grumbles something, it earns him a snicker from her. She flips her middle finger at him when he shoots her a blank stare. His dad gives her a warning look to behave, but she ignores it. She’s nothing like Huxley – in fact, they are starkly different. A hand comes down on his shoulder. When I look at his dad, it’s clear who Huxley got his looks from. From the amber eyes to the tall build, Huxley is a replica of his father.
“Are you going to keep staring at them, or will you speak to them?”
I smile at Francesca. “All good things come with time.”
The truth is I’m worried they won’t like me. They seem like a picturesque family: two parents in love, the handsome, talented son and the gorgeous, loveable younger daughter. Huxley told me he’s close to his family. What if they look at me and know I don’t deserve a place with them?
“That time is now because they’re coming over.” She stands taller and smiles at them. “Happy birthday, Ray.”
He nods at her. “Thank you.”
She looks at them and then at me. With a grin, she excuses herself.
My heart is racing as four sets of eyes analyse my face. Huxley’s is the most piercing one.
“All this, and you don’t wish me a happy birthday?”
I roll my eyes. “All this, and you don’t fall to your knees thanking me?”
He arches his brow at me. “Do you like having men fall at your feet?”
A throat being cleared behind him bursts the bubble I always find myself in around him. “Show some respect,” his dad warns.
“Savannah, these are my parents and my irritating sister.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!” His mum pulls me into a hug. “You did a wonderful job with this party.”
I give her my best smile. “I had a lot of help, Mrs Ray.”
She shakes her head. “Call me Isabella.”
“I’m Hadley, and you’rehot!”
“Thank you. I’ve heard so much about you,” I half-lie. Huxley has mentioned her once or twice.
“Liar,” he exposes.
Hadley snorts with derision. “I’m glad because you would only tell lies about me. Did he tell you he’s the favourite? Because that’s a lie.”
