Sin of the Saint

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: CHRISTMAS EVE

Liv fiddled with her dress she'd bought for homecoming. If the principal's house party was white collar, she figured this dress would be best—seeing as she wouldn't have another occasion to wear it for, and she knew that it gave her wings ample cover.

And at this point in the game, if Nathan were Cupid, she couldn't afford to let him discover where her wings were located. Because he clearly already knows who she is. Her only hope was to keep her wings concealed as best as she could.

She zipped up the aubergine dress, tucking her wings away safely behind the sequined fabric. She took out her curl setters and brushed her fingers through her hair after using some setting spray. She applied a light layer of makeup before throwing on the selfsame crochet cardigan that she wore at Charity's funeral.

She stood in the front living room waiting for Axel to come pick her up. She ran her finger along the nylon yarn blend of the cardigan's sleeve cuff, thinking about Charity, and thinking about Axel's unexpected statement from a few days before.

"I love you, Liv."

She hadn't the chance to say anything back, but she was grateful. She wasn't ready for that conversation. But tonight would be the first time seeing him since he'd said that...and now what would she say?

She'd been so caught up in her own stuff that she hadn't thought about how Charity might have felt about this whole thing. Taking up her mantle, and while being so underqualified to do so...and then dating the guy she was truly into. The guy she truly loved.

Did she love Axel?

"More importantly...do I?" she mumbled to herself.

The doorbell rang and she nearly jumped. She walked over and opened the door, letting axel inside.

"Hey there—oh, wow...you look incredible," Axel said, his blue eyes scanning her quickly.

She smiled kindly, and without really looking at him, said, "Thanks, you do too." Her heartbeat quickened nervously. She didn't have a reply to his confession yet and she "Oh, wow"-ed him. A pit formed in her stomach and she knew her game was thrown off.

No doubt she'd be a nervous wreck all night.

"Axel! Looking great son," Robert said, coming up the stairs to meet them.

Nancy pushed up behind her husband, her phone in her hand, "Move it Bob. I want a picture of the cute couple!"

She loved her parents dearly, she reminded herself.

"Looks just like we did at the university Christmas party—so in love. Don't you think so, honey?" Bob asked Nancy as she focused her phone camera on Axel and Liv, who stood side by side. Axel put his hand gingerly around her waist, and she clutched her purse with both hands, trying to disperse her tension.

She reminded herself again: she loved her parents. Dearly.

"I don't remember you charming me by saving my life after my brake lines were cut, honey. That's Axel's style—isn't it, Axel dear?" Nancy smiled widely, taking multiple photos.

Axel chuckled in response, still smiling for the camera.

Liv forced her own smile. Dearly. I love them dearly...

"I am so sorry about them," Liv said once they were inside Axel's truck. He fired up the engine and he pulled out of their freshly shoveled driveway.

"What are you talking about?"

"My parents...they can be a little...much," Liv said.

Axel shrugged, pouting his lips, "That's how parents tend to be. Or so I hear."