He straightened when he saw me, but his eyes flicked past me to the car. To Landon.
I froze for a split second, already bracing for what was coming. “Hey,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.
“You weren’t answering your texts,” Xavier said, his tone clipped. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I got caught up with some errands for the CCC,” I said, not offering more because I didn’t want to lie. Not to mention, I didn’t want to get into an argument on the sidewalk.
“Who’s that?” Xavier’s gaze shifted back to the car, where Landon still sat. The headlights were off now, but the engine idled low like a warning.
“That’s Landon. My…my ex.” I shifted uncomfortably. “He offered to help. We picked up some supplies.”
Xavier’s jaw tightened. “Right. No wonder you weren’t responding.”
The air between us thickened, tension radiating from him like static. I could feel Landon watching, even though I didn’t dare glance back.
Then I remembered how easily Xavier cancelled plans with me the other day. I had the right to be angry with him, yet here he was, acting like I was the one doing wrong in our relationship.
“I didn’t know I needed to text in a time-stamped itinerary,” I added, my voice sharper than I meant it to be.
“That’s not what this is about, Kira. You vanish for hours and show up with your ex dropping you off, and I’m not supposed to ask questions?”
“Landon’s volunteering at the CCC. That’s all.”
Xavier let out a humorless laugh, then looked me over like he was trying to read something between the lines. “So, what, I’m busy one night and you crawl right back to him?”
“It’s not like that,” I defended. “The CCC requires two volunteers per class, so he’s my insurance to make sure I don’t lose the class. That’s literally the only time I’ll be seeing him.”
Unless he’s at the diner while I’m helping Aimee paint.
Shit, didn’t think about that until now.
“Something tells me he wants to see you a lot more than that.”
I didn’t have the energy to argue. I was still sorting through the conversation I’d had with Landon in the car—the question that kept echoing in my head like it had burrowed itself under my skin.
Are you happy?
I wasn’t sure. But I did know that whatever this was withXavier—the guardedness, the simmering jealousy, the way he seemed to need control more than genuine connection—this wasn’t what happiness looked like.
“I’m going inside,” I announced.
Xavier didn’t move from the stairs right away. Finally, he stepped aside, watching me closely as I passed.
Behind me, Landon’s car pulled away from the curb, disappearing down the street.
And even after the door shut behind me, I could still feel the weight of two different lives tugging at my ribs. The one that felt safe, and one that felt right.
7
KIRA
The moment I shut the door behind me, I leaned against it, exhaling like I’d been holding my breath for miles. The apartment was dark, except for the soft amber glow of the lamp in the corner. I kicked off my shoes by the mat, the sound dull against the hardwood floor, and I tried to shake the chill from my arms.
Then the door opened behind me.Great.
Xavier stepped inside without a word, closing it softly but firmly. His keys jingled in his pocket, the only sound in the silence.
“Xavier,” I said, not turning around yet. “I don’t want to fight tonight.”
