CHRIS

I wake up slowly. Thoughts of last night invading my brain. Being with Hailey was everything I could've imagined and more. The only unpleasant aspect of things is that soon I realize the bed is empty.

Brushing the sleep from my eyes, I look around the room and I find another collage of photos by the window. She often jokes she was a little ugly in school, but the truth is she couldn't be more wrong.

Maybe it was more about the confidence you gain as you get older. And, boy, she has it in spades now. I love how she takes care of her appearance but what gets to me every time is that sassy mouth of hers.

And what a sweet mouth that is.

Needing to distract myself from my dirty mind, I get up to change, pausing by her wall of photos. Smiling, I'm about to get a change of clothes when something by the window downstairs catches my attention.

Opening the curtains, so I'm sure I'm not seeing things, I feel my heartbeat increase. Hailey is leaning by a car that is parked in front of the house, talking to her fucking ex. The bastard who fucking broke her heart before I moved in with her.

His body is way too close to her, and I hate how she looks at him, searching his eyes and nodding. He's towering over her, and from this angle, I can see the moment he rests his hand on the roof of the car as the other one touches her face.

From all I know, they were engaged and about to move in together when she caught him cheating with a co-worker. I was not in her life at the time to kick his ass, but I was there to see her mending her broken heart. She never told this to her family since they are good friends with the asshole's family. But I saw firsthand what it did to her.

And now this piece of shit is here putting her hands on her?

I feel my fingers clench into a fist as I wait for her to push him away; for her to put some fucking distance between them.

Only, she doesn't.

She looks down, running her fingers below her eyes, a small smile on her lips. Is she... Is she crying? I don't have time to process what the hell is going on because soon the motherfucker is cupping her face and pulling her into a kiss.

My heart slams in my chest, and I take a step back. What the... I gasp, pressing my fingers against my eyes. I need to calm down before heading downstairs.

Collecting some clothes from my duffle bag, I head to the bathroom to brush my teeth and splash some water on my face. I'm having a hard time accepting Hailey would fucking kiss another guy after last time, but I know what I saw.

"Good morning, Chris." Her mother greets me as I step inside the kitchen. "Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Barbara." I force a smile, as she walks to the coffee machine and grabs me a cup.

"Have a seat, honey." She motions to the kitchen island while handing me my coffee. "Would you like something to eat? I was making some eggs and toast, but I can cook you something else.

"Coffee is perfect, thank you." I reach for the sugar in front of me, my head turning when I hear the doorbell ring.

"Oh, it must be the gang." She smiles, and sure enough, there's a commotion of people heading to the kitchen.

Aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends invade the relatively big space, and I make sure to plaster a smile on my lips as Barbara introduces me to them. The coffee I'm drinking tastes like cardboard, but at least it's a good distraction.

Leaning on the far-end wall, I sip on my coffee as I watch everyone laugh and catch up. My mind is racing and I'm wondering where Hailey is when I feel her presence. Her eyes are red as if she'd been crying and my first instinct is to go to her. I hold back, though, waiting for her to talk first.

She greets and hugs everyone first, and I watch her every move. She has her game face on, but when she finally makes her way to me, I can see she's nervous.

"Hey." She stops in front of me. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." I nod but before we have time to leave the room, her grandmother walks to us.

"So, do we have a date?" She links her arms with Hailey's.

Clearing her throat, Hailey looks at me. "We're not in a rush, Nana."

"I think May next year would be perfect," her mother chimes in. "The weather would be perfect and I can-"

"We still have time, mom." Hailey gives her mother a pointed look that has zero effect on her.

My phone chooses this moment to ring, and I gladly welcome the distraction. "It's my dad," I explain. "I'll have to take that. If you all excuse me."

Not waiting for their reply, I head to the front door, appreciating the time alone.

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XOXO

Celeste