Page 8 of Changing Rules

“It’s fine. She’s your sister, and she needs you. I can wait. We already spent the whole morning together.”

“Thank you for being so understanding.” He gives me a peck on the lips and puts a hand on the small of my back, ushering me into the living room.

We stop at the threshold. Audrey and Meg sit on the couch, talking. The atmosphere between them is light and casual.

“Ready to go?” Xander asks his sister.

“Yeah.” She stands from the couch and casually walks over to him.

“Great. The sooner we go, the sooner I’ll be home.”

Audrey frowns. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

“It’s Bella’s birthday.” His eyebrows hit his hairline. “I told you that.”

“Oh my!” Audrey whirls around, her mouth hanging open. She’s a terrible actress. “I’m so sorry—I totally forgot about that. Blame my pregnancy brain. It’s so embarrassing. Isabella, happy birthday. I hope you aren’t mad at me for stealing Alex tonight? It’s only for an hour or so.”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry.” I fake another smile.

“In that case, let’s hurry up, Alex. I don’t want to be on your girlfriend’s shit list.” She flashes me a radiant smile, then floats to the front door. “Bye, Isabella. Bye, Meghan.”

“Bye.” Meg joins me in the foyer.

“Bye.”

With a heavy heart, I watch Xander walk out of the house with Audrey.

When it’s just the two of us, Meg wraps her arm around my waist and puts her head on my shoulder. “I don’t really want to cause you any extra stress, but I told her I was here to celebrate your birthday, and it didn’t surprise her.”

“Yeah…” I muse in a barely audible voice. “She knew all along.”

CHAPTER 3

THAT’S MY GIRL

XANDER

A year and four months ago

April

“I putthe table out on the terrace. Do you need help with anything else?” I ask.

Bella moves around the kitchen, completely in her element, focusing all her attention on the meal she’s cooking.

“Babe?” I catch the skirt of her dress, halting her in her tracks.

She meets my gaze, and her eyebrows raise in surprise. “Did you say something?”

“I did.” I chuckle. “I set up the table out on the terrace so we can have dinner in the backyard. What else can I do to help?”

“You’re the best. Thank you so much.” A tender smile pulls at her full lips. “Could you take the dishes outside?”

She’s incredibly beautiful tonight. Her red dress fits her body perfectly, flattering her taut stomach and round breasts. It’s always difficult to keep my hands to myself, but when she looks like this, it’s nearly impossible.

I curve my hand around her waist. “Of course. What else? I feel kinda useless.”

“You’re not useless,” she chastises me with a frown. “You’ve helped so much. You even cut onions! I appreciate you.”

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