Invisible to My First Love (Harper and Maddox) novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Harper

Maddox decided to show me some parts of the house, his hand resting on my lower back like it was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t decide if it was for show, or if he had forgotten that we didn’t actually have to pretend when no one was around. But I reminded myself of the countless times he’d held me like he owned me.

When we came to the indoor swimming pool lined with white loungers, I subtly nodded to myself.

“What?” he asked after catching it.

“I can’t tell which swimming pool I prefer between this one and the one at your place.

“Mine is obviously better.” He bragged.

I rolled my eyes. “Keep telling yourself that.”

He chuckled while shaking his head and we kept moving until the tennis courts came into view. There were two of them, side–by–side and I already felt that was a bit too much, but I reminded myself of where I was.

“Do you even play tennis?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

“Wanna get in there and find out just how good I am?”

I raised my hands in defeat. “Let’s not even bother. I suck.”

Stepping forward, he bit his bottom lip and said, “Of course you do.”

I playfully rolled my eyes as I gently hit the side of his arm. “Let’s just go.”

We walked further along the estate path when we came to an open field, the trimmed hedges and manicured lawns so perfect that I couldn’t look away. I was busy wondering how they came out that way when I realized he wasn’t looking around like me, he was looking at me. I could feel it in my peripheral vision.

Every time I jerked my head in his direction to catch him looking at me, he quickly looked away, like he was studying the hedges and manicured lawns on the other side.

I decided to ignore it, or at least pretend.

“You know,” I began, “After seeing a few floors inside the house and most of the outside, I still prefer your place.”

That stopped him in his tracks, turning to face me with furrowed eyebrows. “Which one exactly? San Francisco or London?”

My steps came to a halt too. “Both. In my eyes, either one is better.”

He studied me for a few seconds before facing forward again and resuming his stride. “Most grownups prefer the Aldridge Estate.”

I quickly caught up with him. “Good thing I’m not one of them. I believe age group might be influencing preference here and that makes sense….because I’m young and fun!”

I laughed, but the sound came out a little shaky because he was still staring at me. And it wasn’t in that

way that made it feel like he wanted to own me between the sheets. He looked at me like he was searching for something.

By the time we made it to the spacious garden with a variety of flowers, he was still looking at me and I couldn’t take it anymore, so I stopped in my tracks again with folded arms and turned to face him.

“Okay, seriously, what’s going on with you?”

He didn’t answer right away, his hands sliding into his pockets with a deep sigh.

“I’m worried about you,” he said, his eyes locked on mine.

“What?” The words hit me harder than I expected.

“I said I’m worried about you.”

I forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”

His eyes slightly narrowed, like he didn’t believe me. “I saw the way your face changed when my father mentioned Tiffany.”

My stomach twisted, but I kept my head steady. “I’ll be just fine when I see her.”

He shook his head slowly. “That’s not it. You’re still mad that she got away with what she did to you in London.”

He was absolutely right about that and I pressed my lips together, trying not to give him the satisfaction of being right. But then, I just couldn’t help it.

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