"Something else happened at the party, didn't it?"
I nod.
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
I shake my head and look down at our joined hands.
"Please, Ash."
"Who is the man with the navy mask?" I ask.
"His name is Mark Forbes. He spoke to you, didn't he?"
"Are you engaged?" I ask.
Xander does a double take. "What? Hell no. What makes you think that?"
"The man, Mark. He said he's your fiancé and that you have...an open relationship. That's why you were with me."
Xander gets up and walks to the window. He looks angry.
"What else did he say?"
"Xander, he knows about the panties. Please believe me when I say it wasn't me. I would never break your trust, especially not with something so private."
He comes over and sits back on the bed, this time a little closer, and I can smell his cologne.
"I know, baby. Mark is my ex. I ended things over a year ago because he cheated on me. I also never shared that side of me. Trust me, you were definitely the first. That isn't to say he didn't go through my drawers to find anything he could use in a situation like this."
"He said he'll go to the press if I don't stay away from you, and he threatened my business. Xander, I can't afford to be out of a job. And you... What if he—"
"Shhh," he says, pulling me into his arms. "It's okay. Mark is seventy percent bullshit and one hundred percent mommy and daddy's money. He won't do anything. Besides, I have some dirt on him too. Empty threats can go both ways."
I hold on to Xander. I don't know what happens now, but I'm so happy his secret is safe, and that Mark won't come after my business.
"Ash?"
"Yeah?"
"You still haven't said it."
"Said what?"
"That you don't love me."
I look at him. His green eyes are big, beautiful, and vulnerable all at the same time. He has the most kissable lips I've ever seen, and now I've tasted them, how can I ever have anything else?
"I'm sorry, Xander. I can't do that."
His hand runs up my back and stops at the base of my neck.
"I can't tell you that because it wouldn't be true. I do love you, Xander."
His lips meet mine, and I feel like I'm breathing in for the first time in months.
"I love you too, Ash. God, I love you so much."
"I'm sorry I ran," I say. "I was so scared Mark would do something to damage your reputation.”
