“God, it’s so good to see you,” he mumbled, burying his face inmy neck, and the feel of his lips against my collarbone sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. “I missed hearing that laugh.”
Heat pooled in my cheeks. “It’s good to see you too. I’m super excited about today.”
“Me too,” he said, placing both hands on my upper arms and pulling back so he could look at me. “But before we go inside, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”
The change in his tone made me pause. “Okay?”
He gestured at one of the wrought-iron benches lining either side of the entrance, and for some strange reason, a tiny dose of nerves trickled through my system. I did my best to ignore the feeling as I sat down, stashing my phone and purse in the empty space beside me on the bench. Xander took a spot beside me, but instead of settling back, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together.
I slanted my head in question. “Everything okay?” I asked.
“There’s something I should have told you earlier, but I didn’t know how,” he said, staring off into the distance at what seemed like nothing in particular.
My pulse jumped at his words. “Why not?”
“Because I made a decision without thinking it through,” he admitted. A breeze swept through the parking lot, lifting his bangs and tossing them into his eyes. He brushed the hair out of his face before adding, “I only considered how it would affect me, not you, and now I’m afraid of how you’ll react.”
I took my bottom lip between my teeth in an effort not to smile. Xander was the kindest, most caring person I knew. He would neverintentionally do something to hurt me; he was too good. Whatever was bothering him was probably so insignificant it wouldn’t have occurred to me if he wasn’t about to call attention to it. Hoping to reassure him, I placed a hand on his arm and smiled. “Xander, relax. I’m sure whatever you’re talking about isn’t that bad.”
“Don’t say that.” He straightened up and turned to me, and the look in his eyes made my stomach flip. “Just…hear me out first, okay?”
Taking my hand back, I nodded.
“You know how Alec is helping me produce this single?”
“Yeah…” After all, I was the one who’d suggested he ask him for help.
“Well, he had an idea.” Xander hesitated, preparing himself for whatever hard thing he had to say, but before he could continue, the studio door swung open a second time.
“Xander, you out here? Alec is ready for—oh. Hey, Indie.”
It took me several seconds to process that Violet was standing in front of me, and for a moment, all I could do was stare. Thank God I was already sitting down, because the sight of her was like a gut punch, and I felt as if all the blood in my veins had stopped flowing. What possible reason did she have to be here? I turned back to Xander, brows furrowed in question.
He flinched, then glanced back at my sister. “Can you give us a minute?”
Violet, realizing she’d interrupted something important, nodded and disappeared inside without another word.
“What,” I said slowly, “isshedoing here?” My fingers curled intofists, and the slight bite of pain as my nails dug into my palms kept me grounded.
Xander swallowed. “Look, I know you two aren’t on the best terms, but I’m hoping you’ll understand that this decision was purely a business one. Working together is beneficial for both of us.”
Working together? What is he talking—
But then it hit me. Violet’s upcoming album. Xander’s song. Alec producing them both. Why not put it all together? I didn’t need to ask. The guilt-ridden expression on Xander’s face was all the confirmation I needed—he was recording his singlewithViolet.
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “You wouldn’t do that.” Not after everything I’d told him about my relationship with her.
“Indie, I swear it was never my intention to hurt you.” He took my hands in his and squeezed, as if willing me to understand. “I should have said something that night on the beach, but we were having such a good time, and I was afraid of ruining everything. Then I was gone all month, and it didn’t seem like the type of thing to explain over text. When Violet told me you overheard our conversation on Thanksgiving, I called you right away, but you were still upset with her and I…I chickened out.”
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t want to lose you.”
“No.” I pulled my hands away from his. “Why would you work with her?”
Xander hesitated again but then said, “Because I don’t have the same relationship with her as you do, Indie. The two of us arefriends, and I—I don’t think she’s a bad person. The two of us worked together onImmortal Nights, so it will make sense to my fans why we chose to do this project together. Hopefully, that will prevent any band breakup rumors. And that’s not to mention how featuring on my song will help generate buzz for her album. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Except for me.
