Page 120 of Changing Rules

The living room, which used to be dark green, is now decorated in light colors. Between that and the big windows, the space looks more open. When we were together, Bella worked on sketches for her aunt, but they didn’t look like this.

“Did you decorate this room?” I ask.

Smiling, she surveys our surroundings. “Yeah. Millie hired a contractor to do the remodel, but she let me do the design.”

“Remember how stressed out you were when she asked you to design it but couldn’t tell you what she wanted?” I chuckle, lightness spilling through my body. “You did great. It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Cheeks pink, she ducks her head, though a moment later, she zeroes in on me. “Congrats on the win. You were fantastic on the field. The whole team was, I mean.”

“Thanks. I wasn’t sure you’d be watching.”

“I didn’t plan on it.” She giggles. “But it seemed appropriate with Milo here. Besides, you know my aunt loves watching you play.”

“Yeah, I always thought she was my biggest fan.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Though are you saying Milo and Millie were watching football? Not you?”

“We all watched.” She walks past me, and once again I’m consumed by her beauty.

Dear God.Bella is in black leggings and a sports bra, showing off her taut stomach. The sight makes my mouth water. And don’t get me started on her full tits. They’re everything.

“Do you want coffee?”

“Coffee?” I blink, snapping out of my daze. I’m like that damn Kronk fromThe Emperor’s New Groove, one big wall of muscle with no brain. “Coffeeeee. Yeah, I’d love some.”

As she walks away, I give my cheek a slap.Wake the fuck up, Xander.

I take my time following her, soaking in all the details, recalling memory after memory. When I catch sight of the peonies on the table, my skin hums. She kept the flowers after all.

She moves with ease as she doctors two cups of coffee. The sight makes my chest ache. I miss having her in my kitchen, watching her try out a new recipe or perfect one of her favorites. She’s always so passionate about what she’s working on. I misseverything about her, and in this moment I can’t help but think: What if I’ve lost her forever?

“Miller still watches your Instagram Stories.” The words rush out of my mouth before I can stop them. I don’t know why I’m telling her that, except that I want her to be careful.

She sets a cup of coffee in front of me then props one hip against the counter and sips her own, her focus fixed on me.

I pick up my own mug. “He still thinks he has a chance,” I add quietly.

“Never,” she says, her tone firm. “I’m sorry you’re still stuck dealing with him. And for the year you had when I was…” She trails off. “We both know I should’ve filed charges. I made a mistake, and I’m sorry.”

My stomach lurches. “No. You don’t need to apologize. He’s the issue here. You did nothing wrong,” I assure her. “It’s all good now. I learned how to tune him out.”

“That’s good to know.” She smiles. “Can you wait for me here? I need to grab my gym bag.”

“You go to the gym?”

She nods.

“Which one? Maybe I can join you for a workout sometime.”

She laughs, skirting the table. “Sorry. I prefer to work out alone.”

While I wait, I unlock my phone and doomscroll my socials.

“Alexander?”

I wheel around in my seat and meet Millie’s gaze. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted.

“Hey.” I jump to my feet and envelop her in a hug. “How have you been?”

“I’m good, thank you for asking.” Millie tilts her head to the side, assessing me. “Are you here to pick up Milo?”

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