Chapter 268

Madison

“Isn’t that the arrangement?” His eyes held mine, searching. “Exclusive. Together. Dating.”

“You know what I mean. She thinks it’s real.”

“And that bothers you?”

I pushed past him, needing space to think clearly. “Can we discuss this somewhere else? She might hear us.”

“Sure.”

“Let me just check on her first.”

I peeked into Mom’s room, finding her already dozing. I scribbled a quick note explaining I was going out, left it on her nightstand, and then grabbed my purse.

“Ready,” I announced, rejoining Alexander in the living room.

The ride down in the elevator was silent. I stared at the descending numbers, hyper-aware of Alexander standing beside me, his cologne filling the small space. When we reached the lobby, he guided me through the doors with a light touch at the small of my back.

“I sent the driver home,” Alexander said once we stepped outside. “I’ll drive us.”

His car waited at the curb, sleek an