Chapter (208 +25 BONUS Chapter 0208 It had been a situation I couldnât easily escape, nothing more. My mother knew that, and so did Alexander, so Dianaâs remark didnât sting as she probably intended.
Still, Alexanderâs jaw tightened slightly as he turned back to me, and I gave him a reassuring smile. This was one battle I wasnât about to fightâDianaâs words didnât have power here.
The conversation shifted as the waitress came to take our orders. Polite chatter filled the majority of the meal, with Diana seemingly having a wonderful time. My mother ever the gracious conversationalist, kept things flowing, filling the silences when I couldnât think of anything to say to the woman who had so easily gotten under my skin.
Each time I glanced at Alexander, I noticed him watching not in the playful, suggestive way he had back at the pool, but with a quiet, steady gaze that spoke of concern He could sense my unease, and it made me feel guilty. Alexander already had enough on his plate without me adding to his worries.
i It wasnât long before we were wrapping up our meal and preparing to head our separate ways. The days leading up to the wedding were going to be incredibly busy, leaving little time for Alexander and me to relax together.
Perhaps that was why my mother hooked her arm around Dianaâs and murmured conspiratorially, âLetâs give the kids a moment to say their goodbyes,â before ushering Diana toward the door.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Alexander turned to me. âAre you all right?â he asked, his voice low and full of concern.
âYes,â I replied automatically, but then I hesitated, frowning as I shook my head. âActually... no. Thereâs something I want to talk to you about, but Iâm not sure this is the time or place.â
âIs it about my mother?â he asked.
âYes,â I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.
âHas she been making comments like that to you all day?â
âNo, itâs not about what sheâs said to me. Itâs the way sheâs been talking about you,â I admitted, watching his face carefully.
Alexanderâs eyes widened slightly. âHow do you mean?â
âShe keeps implying thereâs more to the rumors about you than meets the eye,â I said hesitantly, âand that youâre hiding things.â
âAh,â Alexander murmured, his expression growing serious. He glanced over his shoulder in the direction our mothers had gone before turning back to me. âWell, sheâs not wrong. I do have secrets.â His lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. âBut you and I both know, my pretty little puzzle, that so do you. So, it doesnât really bother you, does it?â
His words made me pause, and despite myself, I smiled. He was rightâwe both had our secrets. Perhaps Dianaâs behavior came from a place of genuine concern, fearing that I didnât fully understand what I was getting into. Could I really begrudge her that, even if I thought her approach was wrong?
âI suppose thatâs true,â I said softly. âBut... it doesnât bother you that your mother talks about you like that behind your back?â
âNot really,â Alexander said with a shrug, though there was a flicker of frustration in his eyes. âIâll talk to her, 1/2 agileme heat of the one of my back, Brewing Sund 7 lead the e, ning two di WyBug Angermet abate the 30s push the things as we see newest get the ffers we pulled and drieglat what +25 BONUS Chapter 0209