Chapter 96 – Quirks
–LIA’S POV–
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We all sat at the table, with Dad at the head, Mom on his right, Zane on his left, which was usually my seat, and me beside him.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Mom said to Zane, grinning. “We spent a lot of time in the kitchen for you.”
Zane smiled. “I could eat a horse, Mrs. Snow.”
I bit my lip, wondering how literally he meant that.
“Help yourself,” Dad said.
Zane glanced at me. “After you, love.”
“Aw,” Mom said loudly, making me almost jump in my seat. She stared at the two of us with admiration, and glanced at Dad. “He calls her ‘love‘,” she whispered.
I ran a hand down my face, while Dad forced a smile.
Zane suppressed a laugh. “Well, she is,” he said. “Lia is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
“My daughter isn’t a thing,” Dad commented.
“Oh, stop it,” Mom smacked his arm, then gazed at Zane with
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the most dreamy eyes. “You’re such a darling, Zane.”
I smiled, unable to believe her. This woman had hated this boy for the last ten years, and he won her over in a span of twenty–four hours. It was nothing short of magic.
But then again, he’d done something similar to me. Maybe it was just his baby blue eyes.
“You start, please. You’re the guest,” I said.
Zane frowned. “I’m no guest, Lia. Please, spare me the formalities.”
“That’s right,” Mom smiled, “he’s not a guest. He’s a part of the family now.”
Dad frowned. “Isn’t that a little too soon?”
“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “Way too soon.”
Zane narrowed his eyes at me. “Are you in my team?”
“No, I’m with Dad,” I teased.
“That’s alright, Zane, I’m in your team,” Mom said at once.
“I miss my wife,” Dad grumbled.
The room filled with chuckles.
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“Anyway, Zane, please begin.”
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The food was delicious, and overall, the night went by much better than I’d hoped. There was little to no awkwardness, even though Dad was sure to mention the years Zane’s friends had bullied me. Zane handled it well, taking immediate accountability and following it up with apologies. I could practically see my parents falling in love with him more and more as time passed.
Finally, it was time for him to leave. Or at least pretend to, just to return to my bedroom from the window.
Zane was a complete gentleman—he shook hands with Dad, bowed his head in respect before Mom, and kissed me on the cheek before leaving, making my heart flutter in my chest. The second the door of the house closed behind him, Mom squealed and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Lia, I had thought Blake was charming, but this boy is incredible. You have excellent taste. I am blown away by how well he presented himself,” Mom said, kissing my forehead.
I laughed, feeling happiness bloom and relief flood my chest. “Thank you.” I glanced at Dad. “Dad, did you like him?”
Dad shrugged. “As much as any father can like his daughter’s
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boyfriend.”
I grinned. “He’s the best, Dad. He’s my fiercest protector.”
“I hope so,” Dad smiled.
I let out a huge sigh. And I missed him already. “I’m a little tired, so I’m gonna go to bed. Love you both. Thank you for arranging such an amazing dinner.”
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“There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for your happiness, honey,” Mom said.
I blew her a kiss. “I love you.”
“Good night, sweetie.”
“Good night.”
I hurried up the stairs, my stomach filled with butterflies. I knew he’d be waiting for me.
I entered my bedroom and quickly locked the door shut. The second I turned around, I was pushed against the door, my mouth claimed by his. I giggled against his lips, kissing him back, my hands grabbing onto his shoulders. Zane hoisted me up into his arms, taking me straight to bed. He straddled me and finally pulled away to glance at me.
“Was I okay?”
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“Okay?” I laughed. “You were perfect, Zane.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down into another kiss. “I love you, Zane Adams.”
He smiled down at me. “I love you too, my love.”
“Can you believe it?” I said softly. “I was sobbing and crying until evening about being adopted and not knowing my biological parents. And now here I am, with you, grinning like the only thing I’ve ever known is happiness.”
He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, and leaned in to kiss my forehead. “That’s how it should be. At least when you’re with me.”
“I’m sorry, Zane,” I said. “For everything I said and did until a few days ago. I was so wary of you, so mad that you turned my life upside down. When in reality, it was always supposed to happen.”
“It’s not your fault, Lia. How could you have known? You had a very reasonable reaction, my love. I’m the one who should be sorry for everything I put you through before the mate bond. came into effect.”
“It’s all forgiven,” I replied. “Mom is crazy about you.” I grinned. “You won them both over tonight. Thank you for everything.”
“Stop thanking me,” he said. “In words, at least. I’m open to
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other forms of gratitude, though.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Mhm? Like what?”
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“I don’t know,” he replied, arm circling around my waist..“Yinu think about it.”
“I’m gonna need a few hours to think,” I replied.
“Oh no,
I’m good. You don’t get to waste the night doing nothing, love.” He dipped his nose into the crook of my neck, making me laugh.
Zane and I went to school together the next morning. I’d learnt my lesson now. I needed him around to protect me, whether it was from The Order. Blake, or myself and whatever was lurking within me. As much as I wanted to be independent and self–sufficient, the current situation didn’t allow it. There was nothing normal about my life, so for now, there wasn’t much space for independence.
And if I were being honest, I liked depending on him.
He made it easy.
Zane’s arm snaked around my waist as we entered the school, and I could swear all heads turned towards us.
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There were even a few surprised gasps and whispers as we walked through the hallway together, looking clearly like a fresh couple. My checks heated with embarrassment, and I discreetly tried to push his arm off my waist.
Zane, in response, only tightened his hold on me.
“You got a problem?” he asked, leaning down to my ear.
“Everybody is looking at us,” I whispered.
“So?”
“It’s awkward.”
In a swift move, he twirled me around and pushed me against one of the lockers, making me and all our spectators collectively
gasp.
“Zane?” I whispered, my eyes wide. “We’re at school!”
He smirked, closing the distance between us, resting his forearm above my head. “You think I care?”
I glanced around, wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole. This was weird.
Zane caught hold of my chin and forced me to look at him.
“Your eyes need not be scanning rooms when you’re with me,
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love,” he said, his blue eyes boring into mine. “They should only be focused here. On me. You understand?”
My breath caught in my throat.
Zane raised a brow. “Well?”
I swallowed. “Ye—yeah.”
“Good girl.” He leaned in, making me squeeze my eyes shut.
As soon as our lips touched, though, all the discomfort and awkwardness simply melted away, replaced by a million sparks shooting up my skin. Then, the shocked gasps and chatter failed to even fall upon my ears or catch my eye. Nothing mattered. when Zane Adams was this close to me. When he was kissing
- me.
All that mattered was him.
He pulled away a moment too soon, and I stared up at him with pleading eyes.
Zane chuckled, kissing my forehead. “We are still in public, my love.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding onto his hair. “Yeah, I don’t care anymore.”
Zane smiled, staring at me intently. “As much as I’d love to
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continue kissing you all day long, I can’t. We really need to go.”
“Where?” I asked.
“Hm, good question,” he said, looking around. “Right.” He glanced at me again. “To class. We have to go to class.”
“I don’t want to.” I shook my head.
“Just because you don’t need your glasses anymore, doesn’t mean you can stop being a nerd, alright? I love how smart you
are.”
I scowled. “You and your friends used to hate that.”
“All in the past, Lia. I love everything about you now. All your little quirks, your little habits, your antics. Everything about you
is adorable.”
I couldn’t keep up the fake scowl for a second longer, so I let myself blush at his words.
Zane grinned, poking my cheek. “Come on, now. Let’s get to
class.”
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