𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑟𝑒𝑒

Chapter 20 ~ Mwah

Willow

My mind won't stop spiraling and repeating his words.

"You're my favorite person."

He kissed my earlobe softly which gave me the chills and then proceeded to help me up in the car. The car ride was silent except for the music in the background.

My mind won't stop going back. Today was the most fun I have had in a while. In fact it's the first time that I have had this much fun since I was last with my family.

Maddox gives me butterflies and chills every time he says my name in his hushed voice. He makes sure I'm taken care of all the time like we are some married old couple. He does things that irritate me but he makes it seem like he is teasing me.

Does he like me?

Is he trying to prove to me that I can trust him?

How can I know what his intentions are if he doesn't speak to me in that way?

I look over to him and see that he is keeping his gaze on the road and not giving me a second glance. I let out a sigh and turned to look out my window.

Maybe he will say something. Either that it was a mistake, or that he wishes it went farther. I can't even look him in the eye because all I can think about is the way he whispered in my ear and kissed my cold ear.

🌿

"Happy Thanksgiving!" I greet Iris and Jason. I goggle at Ella as her face lights up when she sees me. Her arms extend as Jason hands her over to me. I shower her with kisses, gosh this baby is adorable and it makes me sad that we leave tomorrow, I won't be able to see her anymore.

I take baby Ella and sit on the couch, playing with her and waiting for more guests to arrive. I have only met Jason, Iris, and Johnson. Maddox has one more cousin and then his grandparents that I have yet to meet.

"Willow?" A voice from behind me calls. I turn around and see Johnson coming in through the door. "Hey!" Me and Johnson had bonded through a lot of things. He is a nice guy and he is very handsome.

"Hey." He wraps his arms around my shoulder unexpectedly as he takes a seat next to me on the couch playing with Ella.

"So what did you do yesterday?" He keeps his eyes on Ella. "Well me and Maddox went up to the mountains and saw snow." He nods letting me know he is listening.

We talk for a bit longer trying to get Ella to laugh when I feel a pair of arms around my shoulder and then a kiss smack on my cheek. I turn and see Maddox dressed in a sage green turtle neck with black pants. His shirt matches the bow in my hair.

"Hey sweetheart." He comes to the other side of the couch and sits next to me. I have noticed whenever we have gatherings, I'm always in the middle of the two boys. Of course when Maddox comes over, Johnson removes his hand from my shoulder.

Maddox takes Ella from my hands and hands her over to Iris who takes her gladly and begins to feed her. Maddox unexpectedly pulls me closer to him, in his lap. I turn to face him when he mouths 'Trust me' . I nod because I do trust him.

Even though that's the first real thing he has said to me since the snow yesterday. Of course, we had come home and Maddox went to sleep on his bed while I slept on the floor like I had been when he fell asleep. The first night he might have taken me back to bed. But I think right now he is thinking I'm uncomfortable sleeping in the same bed as him.

Which is not the case, I just need to give him and myself space before things go too far.

I let Maddox adjust me and place me in between his legs as he wraps his arms around my middle. I let out a smile and a sigh of content that wasn't supposed to come out. "Maddox! Grandma is here!" Aunt Maren calls out.