Page 125 of Breaking Rules

I want to believe it, but a little voice in the back of my head questions his words. I force myself to smile. “I know.”

The house is gorgeous. It’s white with a black roof. Its modern details work surprisingly well with the classic New England vibe. The lawn is manicured, and the cobblestone driveway looks recently redone. The solid wood door is decorated with an adorable Warrior-themed wreath, the pine needles adorned with a red and white bow and dotted with little footballs.

“Is this their tribute to you?”

“Yeah, Mom made it herself,” he answers as he knocks on the door. “She said she made one for us too.”

“Oh, that’s so cu?—”

The door opens, and I find myself face-to-face with Audrey, who’s smiling from ear to ear in light blue jeans and a beige cashmere pullover.

“Look who’s finally here,” she announces, her eyes on her brother.

“We’re right on time.” Xander pulls me into the house, then releases me to kiss his sister on the cheek. “It’s good to see you home again.”

“Better get used to it. March will be here sooner than you think.” She turns to me then, and the corners of her mouth drop a little, but she forces another smile almost immediately. “It’s nice to see you, Isabella.”

“You too.”

Instinctively, I move to Xander, and he laces his fingers with mine.

“Where is everyone?” he asks.

“Dad and Ryan are in the living room, Mom’s in the kitchen.”

The living room is light and inviting just like I remember it, with a big gray couch and large windows that flood the space with natural light in the morning. The fireplace is surrounded by built-in shelves with rows and rows of books and framed pictures. The TV is on, the volume turned up loud as Ryan and Xander’s dad watch hockey.

As we step farther into the room, Xander’s dad jumps to his feet, a radiant smile on his lips.

“Alex, Isabella!” He hugs his son, then holds out his hand to me. “I’m Greg.”

I slip my palm into his and I’m instantly struck by how much he looks like Xander. Dark hair. Blue eyes. Sharp jaw and straight nose.

“We’re so happy you’re here.”

“Thank you so much for inviting me.” I smile.

His gaze is warm, and the smile lines bracketing his mouth deepen as he grins. “Alex has talked our ears off about you. Glad we’re finally meeting.”

“Oh, I’ve heard so much about you too.”

“I hope only good things?” A petite blonde shuffles into the room, her blue eyes sparkling and her smile bright. Her bottom lip is a bit fuller than her upper lip, and it’s pouty, just like her son’s.

“Definitely,” Xander comments. “I don’t have a mean bone in my body.”

His mom snorts and fixes her warm gaze on me. “We are so happy you agreed to come. We’ve been waiting for Alex to introduce us since the second we saw his bathroom. You did such a wonderful job, dear! I love it!”

My heart warms at the simple compliment. It’s so genuine, so kind.

Xander hauls me to him. “Looks like Mom forgot her manners,” he teases. “Bella, this is my mom, Pauline.”

“Oh my God!” She smacks her forehead and laughs. “I was so excited to finally meet you, I forgot to introduce myself.” She closes the distance between us and wraps me in a hug. “Thank you so much for coming, Bella.”

“I’m so happy to be here,” I say as she steps back.

“Well,” she says, hands clasped over her chest, “let’s go. Dinner is ready.”

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