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Nate’s dark eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“How about we head back upstairs, my love? Your parents seem to be in the middle of something,” Mikayla sates.
“No,” Xander snaps immediately. “We’re fine.”
And before anyone else can say a word, he storms out of the kitchen. I watch him leave, feeling a searing pain in my chest.
I might have just ruined everything.
Xander hasn’t spoken to me since our kiss in the kitchen. He had dinner with myself, Nate and Mikayla, last night but he barely said a word. I caught Nate sneaking glances at his father, worried about him. It’s all my fault. Not only did I barge into their lives, I’m starting to upend it.
And if that kiss is provoking such a visceral reaction from him, then it’s clear it never should have happened. I just wish he would talk to me. I have to return home soon to face my problems. I’ve avoided it all for long enough. Rico will pick me up soon and I really wish we could at least have a conversation before I go.
There’s a knock on my door and I rise to my feet to open it, revealing Nate on the other side. I try not to let my surprise show. I’ve been here two days and he’s never willingly sought me out. He also hasn’t pushed me away when I went to talk to him so there’s been progress.
We’ve gotten better at talking to each other. I’ve told him a lot about myself and he’s shared his hobbies as well, likes and dislikes. It’ll take a while to build a relationship but I’m willing to get there.
“Hi, Katerina,” he says unsurely. “Can I come in?”
“Of course,” I quickly say, shifting from the doorway to let him pass.
He walks into the room and after a brief moment of hesitation, he takes a seat on the made up bed.
“You can sit too,” he tells me.
I laugh softly under my breath. “Okay. How can I help you today?”
“You said you were leaving today,” he starts. “I just wanted to ask when you’d be coming back.”
“Oh, I’ll be back soon, sweetheart. Maybe not today or tomorrow because I have a lot of work to do but in two days? I promise I’ll come then. I wish I didn’t have to go though.”
He nods. “Okay. I just wanted to make sure.”
“Nate, I promised. I won’t leave again. Promises are meant to be kept,” I say sincerely.
Now that I’ve met him, there’s nothing on earth that could keep me away.
“I know, dad’s always telling me that as well,” he says with a small smile. “About dad… did something happen, between two of you? Are you in a fight?”
My heart aches and I sigh softly, wondering how to answer his question. I’m glad he asked though. He’s initiating conversation and even if it’s hard, I want to be able to talk to him.
“Your dad and I have a very complicated history. When I left you, I also left him as well and he’s angry about what I did. I deserve his anger though.”
“He missed you a lot,” Nate says quietly. “When he would tell me stories about you, I could tell he missed you.”
My mouth dries. I have no idea what to say to that.
“I missed him too,” I tell Nate, deciding to be honest.
He smiles pleased with my reply. “And I missed you too.”
“I missed you more than I’ve ever missed anyone ever, baby,” I tell him. “Way more than I missed your dad.”
He laughs. “Don’t let him hear that. He’ll be sad.”
“Actually, I think he’ll be glad,” I say. “And don’t worry, Nate, your father and I will resolve our issues on our own. You just have to be happy. I want that more than anything.”
“I am happy. I’m happy you’re back.”
