TWENTY THREE

Cara should be used to Xander's knack for pushing her buttons by now, but somehow, he keeps finding new ways to do it.

There she sits in the living room, dressed in a blue dress, makeup perfectly done, and her curly hair straightened. She should have canceled the date, but after spending so much time picking out the perfect outfit, she's at least expecting a nice dinner and maybe even a jet ride.

"Madam Cara," Marco says as he enters the room.

"Cara," she corrects him sharply.

He nods. "Sir Alexander is currently occupied. I've been instructed to drive you to the hangar where he will meet you."

At least she won't have to see his face during the drive. They might not even make it to dinner before she throws the DNA test results in his face.

"Fine," Cara says as she grabs her small Gucci bag, the one holding the envelope.

---

Xander waves Marco off, then opens the door for Cara. He's greeted by a stunning woman in a blue dress with a frown that's almost as striking as her outfit.

"I apologize for being late," Xander says, extending his hand. Cara ignores it and exits the car on her own.

"You look beautiful," he adds.

"I know," Cara replies with a forced smile, heading toward the jet.

Xander watches her walk away, the anger in her steps somehow making her even more captivating.

---

During dinner, Xander feels the tension despite his attempts at small talk. Cara is pointedly ignoring him. He fears asking if he's done something wrong, afraid he's only making things worse.

"I just want this night to be special," he finally says, trying to break the silence. "Did I do something wrong?"

Cara seizes the moment she's been waiting for. She pulls the envelope from her bag and slides it across the table. "Tell me why you requested a DNA test," she demands.

It's another mess-up in a night that was meant to be about getting to know each other. Xander remembers telling Gwen to cancel the test, but she went ahead with it anyway. He'll have to find another doctor, preferably one without personal interests.

"I can explain," Xander begins, clearing his throat.

Before he can say more, the waiters arrive with dessert.

"Sir, Madam, your dessert," the waiter says with a smile.

"Thanks," Xander mutters.

Cara interrupts, "If they set the dessert down, I'll throw it at you." Her wicked smile shows she's not kidding.

Xander, not wanting to risk his suit or his evening, says, "You can take it back."

The waiters leave with the untouched dessert.

"Well, your explanation?" Cara demands.

Xander is relieved he rented out the restaurant for the evening. At least no one else will witness Cara's outburst.

"I did tell her to cancel the test, but she went ahead with it anyway," Xander explains.

"Great. So the almighty Alexander Black changed his mind. I feel so special," Cara mocks.

"It's not like you gave me a choice. You showed up claiming to be pregnant, and..."

Cara cuts him off, "Whoa, you act like we didn't have sex. Here's some advice: if you didn't want me showing up like this, maybe you should have used a condom."

"Maybe I should have, then I wouldn't have a crazy person yelling at me right now," Xander retorts. As soon as the words are out, he knows he's made things worse.

The silence stretches as Xander searches for an apology. Cara speaks before he can.

"You think I'm a gold digger, that I'm lying about the baby to get money from you. With your attitude, no amount of money would have made me stay."

Her words sting because she's someone he actually cares about. It's not just her; it's the people she values that matter to him.

"I'm sorry," Xander says sincerely. "I've been having trust issues, and I'm working on them."

Cara interrupts again, "With your trust issues, aren't you curious about the DNA test results?"

Xander hesitates. "I don't need it."

"Why not?"

Xander admits, "You're having twins. It makes sense."

Cara is annoyed by his honesty. "Are you sure? I think I hooked up with someone who had a twin too," she says, pretending to remember another encounter just to get under his skin.

Xander's frustration boils over. His clenched fists and the vein throbbing on his forehead show his anger. "You're lying," he says through gritted teeth.

"Well, there's only one way to find out. Open it," Cara says, crossing her arms.

"I don't need to see it," Xander replies.

"Open it!" Cara insists.

"No."

"You know you want to," Cara says slowly.

Xander considers it. Maybe opening the envelope could prevent future problems.

"I don't need it," he insists.

"Open the damn envelope!" Cara shouts, banging her hand on the table.

"No!"

"I'm leaving if you don't open it," Cara threatens.

"Cara," Xander tries to reason with her.

"Just open it," she says softly.

Xander frowns, unsure if opening it will help or make things worse. He picks up the envelope and tears it open.

He reads the contents, feeling a wave of relief that overshadows his guilt for doubting her.

Looking up, he sees Cara getting up to leave. "Cara, come on," he pleads.

"No! Screw you," Cara snaps, picking up her things and heading for the door.

---

Outside, Cara feels foolish. She's in an unfamiliar area, and the only person who can get her home is still inside the restaurant.

She paces the sidewalk, waiting for Xander to come out and take her back to LA, where she can go back to hating him.

Xander soon emerges, spotting her and approaching with relief.

"Take me home," Cara demands.

Xander grabs her arm, pulling her back. "Not until we settle this."

Cara steps back, regaining control. "There's nothing to settle. You're an asshole."

"That I am," Xander admits. "I'd like to blame it on my life's tragedies or Liza cheating on me with my best friend, but I can't. I've always been an asshole."

"S-she cheated?" Cara mutters, everything falling into place.

"I have trust issues, but I'm working on them," Xander says.

"It's all about Liza," Cara shakes her head. "I've never hated someone as much as I hate her."

"It's not about Liza!" Xander yells, frustrated.

Cara counters, "Of course it is! She's so smug, so sure you'll get back together. And you probably will, won't you?"

Before Xander can respond, Cara continues, "I'm so stupid, falling for you while you're not over Liza."

Xander interrupts, "I'm never getting back with her!" He's tired of the conversation about Liza.

"Look at me," Xander lifts her chin with his fingers. "I really like you, and I want to see where this goes. It might be moving fast, but I think it can be special—me, you, and the twins."

Cara is tempted by his words, despite her anger.

"Let's take it slow and get to know each other. Just give this asshole a chance."

Cara, torn between anger and affection, finds herself softening.

"But all we do is fight," she mutters, unable to take her eyes off his lips as they move closer.

"Yeah, but it makes this part hotter," Xander whispers, his breath warm on her lips.

Cara pulls back when she notices people taking pictures from a distance.

"They're taking pictures," she whispers.

"Can't blame them. We make the hottest fake couple on social media," Xander says before capturing her lips with his, as he'd wanted to do since he saw her in that blue dress.

And just like that, Cara's thoughts become a blur.

~~~

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