Love Novel 92

The second I step out of my room, Zaid’s eyes are on me. His gaze sweeps over my body, slow and heated.
My skin prickles, and I wrap my arms around my waist.
I know he likes what he sees, but the weight of the makeup on my face and the tightness of my dress have me wondering
if I’ve maybe done a bit too much.
He’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, with his phone in one hand. That phone is long forgotten as he
looks at me, his expression sharpening. One brow raises, his lips parting just slightly as if he wants to say something but
holds it back.
I shift in my heeled boots, suddenly self-conscious. “Do I look okay? Is it too short?”
A smile lifts his lips as I tug on the hem of the dress. He grunts, pushing off the wall and stalking toward me. “You look
perfect.”
A blush spreads across my cheeks and he cups my face and kisses me softly. It’s quick, almost teasing, but it leaves my
heart pounding in my chest. When he pulls back, he smirks, as if he knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
We walk to the living room, where he grabs his keys. “Let’s go.”
The ride to Parker’s house is quiet, the only sound the low hum of music from the car’s speakers. Zaid’s hand rests on my
thigh, his thumb rubbing slow, deliberate circles against my skin. The simple touch sets a slow burn in my stomach, and I
bite my lip, staring out the window as I try to get my thoughts in order.
The silence isn’t uncomfortable, and I find myself enjoying just the comfort of his presence. I place my hand over his,
smiling softly as the touch brings a light to his eyes.
When we pull up to Parker’s house, the party is already in full swing. The music is loud, pulsing through the walls, and the
air is thick with the smell of alcohol. People are everywhere. They’re drinking, dancing, laughing. A couple stumbles out
onto the porch, tangled in each other, completely oblivious to the world around them.
My cheeks heat, remembering how Zaid kissed me right on this porch.
How he forced me to feel how hard I was making him.
I have to shake the memory, though.
As soon as we step inside, Nikki spots us. She lets go of Parker’s hand mid-conversation and rushes toward me, a huge
grin on her face.
“Alina!” she squeals, throwing her arms around me.
I laugh as she spins me in a quick circle, squeezing me tight.
“I missed you,” I say, genuinely happy to see her.
She pulls back just enough to glance over at Zaid, her smile faltering for just a second. I catch the look in her eyes, but I
ignore it, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the kitchen.
“Come on, we need drinks,” I giggle at her.
Minutes later, we are leaning against the counter, sipping on something fruity and probably too strong as we talk.
“So,” Nikki starts, tilting her head. “How’s break been going?”
Heat crawls through me. I can’t exactly be honest, can I? I open my mouth to reply, but I feel a firm grip on my waist.
Aiden spins me around and presses his lips to mine in a deep, lingering kiss, making my head spin. When he pulls away, I
blink up at him, breathless.
“Hey,” He whispers, rubbing the lipstick he, no doubt, smeared down my chin.
“Hey,” I whisper back, smiling.
“You look hot.” He looks down at my outfit and I smack him across the chest. He chuckles and turns to Nikki.
“Hey, Nikki.”
“Hey, yourself,” she laughs.
Aiden kisses me again before joining Parker and Zaid, who are already talking in the other room. As soon as he’s gone,
Nikki turns to me, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
“So, since when is everyone suddenly on good terms with Zaid?” she drawls, arms crossed.
My face heats instantly. “Uh—”
Her eyes widen, and before I can stop her, she grabs my wrist and drags me through the crowd, straight to one of the
bedrooms. She shoves me inside, slamming the door shut behind us, then spins on me with an expression of pure shock
and excitement.
“Oh my god,” she breathes. “How long have you been dating both of them?”
The music is muffled, but it still vibrates against the wall. I hear her loud and clear, and I grimace. Am I that obvious? I
haven’t seen anyone other than Zaid, Aiden and Jake since all of this started.
Maybe it’s written on my forehead like a tattoo.
“Alina!” she gasps, shaking her head as she looks at me with wide eyes.
I groan into my hands, falling onto the bed. “I’ve basically been with the both of them since the wedding.”
She gasps, falling down beside me. “With Zaid? I thought you hated him.”
I lift my head from my hand and shrug. “I did, too. I didn’t realize how much of it was just a lot of sexual tension.”
Nikki hums, but there’s an unease to her presence now
I turn to her, noting the frown on her brow and the disturbed curve of her lips.
“After everything he’s done?” She whispers
I hate the judgement in her voice, but I was in the same position she was just a few weeks ago. “It’s a lot more
complicated than what you think and maybe one day, they’ll let me share the whole story with you.”
That grabs her attention, and she turns to face me, placing a hand on mine. “As long as your’re sure. And happy.”
I smile, the genuine feeling of peace rushing through me. “I am.”
She blows out a breath. “That’s all that matters. Now, come one. Let’s get drunk and dance before midnight!”
She grabs my hand and pulls me back to the living room, where we drink and dance until my lungs are burning from
laughing too much.