AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He mulled on that for a minute, then leaned forward so his knees almost touched my toes where they peeked from under the hem of my dress. “And what aboutourfamily, Ces? What about us?”
“A two-month vacation and some mean rich people do not make a family,” I told him, though it felt like I was lying through my teeth.
Flashes of the three of us in his London apartment skipped through my mind. Xavier making us dinner. Sofia playing in her room. The three of us cuddled on the couch while I read a book, Xavier watched soccer, and Sofia yammered to one of her dolls.
“I’m sorry,” I said, my voice suddenly weak. “But they just don’t.”
“And being Sofia’s father doesn’t?”
“That takes more than blood too.”
I scooted farther into my chair and looked out the window, searching for some reprieve. Maybe a bit of guidance. Then I caught the lights of the wedding party in the square below us.
“See those people down there?” I said. “The ones who chased us to the dock?That’sfamily. They’re messy and snarky and have way too many opinions about my life, to be sure. But every one of them is there for each other, no matter what. Why do you think my brother tried to beat you up, or my sisters were so quick to call you names? Because family stands up for one other. Families have each other’s backs. We fight, just like you do, but it’s not when someone personally insults us. It’s because we defend our own.”
“Oh, I am aware of that,” Xavier said dryly, touching the blooming bruise under his left eye. “Your brother has made that very clear.”
“Say what you want about them, but my siblings would never let anyone else call me trash or denigrate me in any way.” I swallowed hard, suddenly realizing the truth. And this time, there was no uncertainty left. “But you did, Xavi. You did, again and again. It wasn’t about Imogene Douglas. It was about everyone in that world. You left us to the wolves and insisted they were only puppies.That’s why I left. I was tired of being hunted and eaten alive while you stood by and told me each bite was only a scratch.”
Xavier’s blue eyes darted between me and the window several times while his mouth worked silently. But then he stilled. Recognition straightening every part of his body.
“I—I see,” he said quietly. “I understand.”
He looked so forlorn, so immediately heartbroken, that I almost got off my chair and went to him. Pure loneliness emanated from him in waves, and I wanted only to crawl into his lap, accept the shelter of his warm body, and give him the shelter of mine.
But I had to stick to my guns here. Now that I finally knew what was right.
“I hope you know how lucky you are,” he said. “I never had family like that.”
I frowned. “But your mom—”
“Mum wasn’t a fighter,” he cut me off. “She made it alone, sure. But her own family was ashamed of her, so she shut them out too. Taught me to do the same, I suppose.”
“You fought,” I said. “I know you did. You still do.”
He shrugged. “I probably get that from my dad. Rupert was a fighter, right? Fought with me plenty. But it was only when his own bloody pride was damaged. He didn’t stand up for me either. No one did.” He shook his head. “Fuck. I never knew.”
I bit my lip, gripping the chair to keep from taking his hand. He had everything it took. I knew he did.
But for my own sake and Sofia’s, I couldn’t keep waiting for him to figure out how to be the kind of support we really needed. Not when we already had it out there.
Xavier rubbed a big hand over his face and sighed as he sank back into his chair. “All I’ve ever wanted is for us to be a family, Ces.” His eyes blinked large and blue in the night. “I can learn. I know I can.”
I stood, picking up my teacup to return to the kitchen. “Xavi, it’s not that easy.”
“Would this help?”
I turned and found him following me through the living room. He bent down to retrieve something from his drying jacket pocket. Then he turned to me, somehow managed to keep his towel in place, and sank to one knee all over again, just like he had on the dock.
And this time, he held out a box.
A very small, very square velvet box.
I sucked a sharp breath through my teeth. “Is that—”
“An engagement ring, yeah?” Xavier smiled shyly. “You want a secret? I’ve been carrying it around all summer in my jacket pocket. Waiting for the right time.” He shook his head with something like regret. “Never seemed to be one, right? Stupid man, I am.”
He opened it to reveal the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’d ever seen.
