James’ pov
I nodded my head once.
“She is.” I murmured in a low voice with my eyes fixed on the glass which is still held In my hand.
Luca let out an audible sigh which made me glance up at him, making our eyes meet, and in that moment, something flashed in his eyes, right before he continued to speak.
“You know, we never really liked the fact that we had to suffer the consequences of things our parents did, things our father did; rather.” As he spoke, he dragged his face over his face for a moment and I nodded my head once again.
“We hated it so much. We wished that wasn’t how it works, but that was how it unfortunately works.” He paused for a moment.
“But, like I said before, she is different, and we aren’t going to fault her for her parents’ past actions.” As he spoke, I felt my chest expand a little in relief.
If Luca hasn’t been accepting of Blair, that would undoubtedly stir some problems between us, because there’s no way I can bring myself to let go of Blair now, and neither can I ever bring myself to consider ending things with Luca.
Which is why it’s a relief that he’s saying this right now.
“You like her a whole lot, don’t you?” Luca’s voice was sure as he spoke, like he already had his answers but still wanted to hear it audibly. I stared at him for a few moments before slowly nodding my head. I threw the rest of my drink back and sat up, dropping the glass on the table before me as I began to speak.
“The thing is, I didn’t even know when it began to happen, you know?” As I spoke, Luca let out a small snort.
“Believe me, I do understand what you mean right now.”
After a few minutes, Luca broke the silence once again. “When did the both of you meet?”
As I delved in, I didn’t hold anything back, explaining all that I had formed myself to keep away from Luca until I was sure it was something serious, and by the time I was done speaking, Luca was laughing a little.
“She sounds feisty and witty.” He murmured and I nodded excitedly.
“She’s all that and so much more!”
“She clearly excites you.” He observed and I laughed.
“She sure as hell does, as does your little wife do to you.” I pointed out and Luca snorted a little with a small grin on his face.
We both fell silent after that, in a comfortable silence, and when Luca broke it once again, I hadn’t been expecting what he said.
“I don’t think I can ever fault Sofia for the things her stupid father did, so be rest assured that I do not fault your girl for what her nonexistent father did.” As he spoke, I listened with rapt attention until he got to the part about Blair’s father, which made me let out a snort.
“That’s quite dark, but you’re absolutely right.
~~~
On getting home that night, Blair was laying on the couch when I got into the house and as usual, it filled my chest with a feeling of contentment and fulfillment. She’s currently watching some chic cooking show which made me roll my eyes as I slid into the spot beside her and wrapped my arms around her waist, tugging her against me.
Her Indignant huff made me roll my eyes fondly.
“Was that you sneaking up on me? Cause I heard you as soon as you turned the keys in the doorknob.” She explained but I ignored her, choosing to pepper kisses across her bare collarbone and breathe in her clean, enticing scent at once.
“I wasn’t doing that, you dummy. If I wanted to startle you, I’d have made a more dramatic entrance, don’t worry.” I murmured after pulling away from her for a second. She eyed me pointedly before huffing and rolling her eyes.
“Blair…” I murmured after a few minutes, taking her hands in mine and dropping tiny kisses atop her knuckles which weren’t bony like they once were a long time ago.
“I know you’re obsessed with me already. Do you wanna tell me something else?” She asked in a serious tone which made me stare at her for a few fleeting seconds before rolling my eyes and huffing out a laugh while shaking my head.
“You’re effortlessly funny.” I sighed out fondly, thumbs still stroking over her knuckles.
She sat up straighter and grinned at me as she spoke. “Oh, I know that. I’ve been told that countless times.”
“Quit letting it go to your head too much.” I admonished and she huffed out a little laugh this time.
“My brain has been filled up with other important things a long time ago, there’s no space for things like that up there. Can’t say the same about you.” She murmured innocently with her eyes flashing at me a little.
I rolled my eyes a little and kissed her fingertips softly, and then I puffed out a long, deep sigh.
“Blair… I don’t want you to ever return to your old apartment. I want you to keep on staying here with me forever.” As soon as those words left my lips, Blair instantly knew that I was being serious because she let out a long sigh, staring at me quietly for long moments.
“Is this you saying you like me?” She asked, head tilted sideways, which made me realize that I’ve never actually outrightly told her that I like her.
With a soft sigh, I began to speak.
“I like you, Blair. I like you a lot, like a whole lot. I don’t bring anyone home, but I brought you here and clearly, I do not want you to leave. I forget my worries in your presence, you make me feel very much sane and I so much love your company, your wit, your annoyingly sharp tongue, and you in general.”