Armani’s POV
"It’s about love, of course." I slide my arm around Rena, pulling her just a little closer than necessary.
She stiffens.
I feel it—the subtle tensing of her body, the way her breath catches just slightly before she forces herself to relax. The reaction is so small that Xavier probably doesn’t notice, but I do. And it stings. Am I so repulsive to her? She didn’t seem to think so earlier, not when she was looking at me like she actually enjoyed my company. But I ruined that, didn’t I? With my careless words.
Xavier snorts, unconvinced. "Love?" He tilts his head, studying us.
Before he can continue his interrogation, a delighted squeal cuts through the tension.
"Watch me, Caca!" Noah, my energetic nephew, takes off across the grass, waving a napkin in his tiny fist like it’
