Page 134 of Changing Rules

“You too.” Xander shakes his hand. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

My gaze flickers to him instantly. What does he have in mind?

“Yeah? Why?” Kaden sticks his hands in his pockets and rocks back on his heels.

“Because you’re Bella’s friend, and I know how much you mean to her.”

Heat radiates through my chest, and I can’t help but smile at Xander. It means the absolute world to me that he wants to get to know my friend.

Kaden grins. “If I’m being honest, I wanted to meet you too—to make sure you treat Izzy right.” He checks his watch. “I’ve got a little time before I meet up with Liv.” He glances between Xander and me. “How about a coffee?”

“Only if it’s not too crowded,” Xander says. “If I’m recognized, the paparazzi won’t leave Bella alone.”

The butterflies in my stomach are ecstatic, fluttering their wings, making it hard not to smile.

“How about we get it to go and walk through Central Park? I’ve got about an hour.” Kaden turns to me. “I’ll order so the two of you don’t have to go in. Vanilla latte for you?”

He didn’t need to ask. He knows what I like, but I nod anyway.

Kaden wiggles his eyebrows and grins. Ah. It makes sense now. He’s showing Xander how well he knows me. Even if they can be friendly, they’re still guys. Cockiness is in their blood, I’m afraid.

“What about you?” he asks Xander.

“Same. Bella and I have the same taste when it comes to coffee. And a lot of other things.”

And here I thought he wasn’t jealous at all.

Eyes closed,I lean back and take a deep breath. I can’t wait to get home and take a bubble bath. My legs are killing me.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. It meant a lot showing Xander so many of my favorite places. And he was right: not having an itinerary was great. It meant we could wander and talk.

“You look satisfied.” His tone is deep and full of innuendo.

I open my eyes, smiling involuntarily. He’s been telling me about how the season started and his hopes for another Super Bowl ring. Yet again, I found myself mesmerized when he opened up about his passion. Football is his life.

“Did you have fun today?”

“I liked spending time with you,” I coo quietly, holding his gaze. “Thank you for taking me to New York. It felt good to be back, even if it was only for the day.”

“Glad to hear it.” He clears his throat. “Do you think Kaden will take you up on your offer to visit?”

I hum. “Absolutely. Hopefully Liv will join him.”

“That’s great. I’d love to meet her too. But he’s so overprotective of you, and I?—”

My back goes ramrod straight. Dammit. This is not a road I want to go down again, especially not with him. “Please, stop.”

He looks from me to the road and back again. “Stop the car, or stop talking?”

“Both.”

I turn and face the window, watching the rain pelt the glass. It’s beautiful, but my annoyance makes it hard to appreciate.

Silently, he takes the next exit, pulling into a park. The rain is coming down harder now, and the place is totally deserted.

Once the car is in park, he unfastens his seat belt and turns to face me. I do the same, mirroring him.

“I’m sorry,” he says in a soft voice.

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