Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 101: Date

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Chapter 101

~Jade’s POV~

The sound of a car pulling up outside made me glance toward the window.

For a moment, I simply stood there in the living room, listening as the engine idled softly. The house was unusually still this evening.

Training was cancelled by Xander, though I was sure his brothers would love that.

Mom had gone out earlier with one of her friends, and Kael hadn’t returned from wherever he went.

Which meant... I was completely alone.

A small flutter of nervous excitement stirred in my chest as I walked toward the window and peeked through the curtain.

Usually, I’d have Isadora get me ready during an important date, but today, I just wanted something simple.

I was dressed in a short blue flower dress that stopped above my knee.

Sure enough, Xander’s sleek black car was parked outside the gate. He leaned casually against the driver’s door, one hand in his pocket, while the other scrolled lazily through his phone.

Even from a distance, there was something annoyingly attractive about the way he carried himself— confident, relaxed like the world bent slightly around him without him even trying.

As if sensing my gaze, his head suddenly lifted. Our eyes met through the window, and a slow grin spread across his face.

Heat rushed to my cheeks immediately.

I stepped away from the curtain before he could catch me staring any longer and grabbed my small purse from the couch. My fingers smoothed down the sides of my dress instinctively before I headed for the door.

The cool evening air brushed against my skin the moment I stepped outside.

Xander straightened when he saw me approaching, his eyes dragging slowly from my head down to my shoes before returning to my face.

"Well," he said, pushing himself off the car, "you clean up pretty nicely, mate."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. "You’re late," I replied.

His brows lifted. "Late? I’m two minutes early."

"That’s still late."

He chuckled softly as he walked around to open the passenger door for me. "Someone woke up sassy today."

"I’ve always been sassy," I said, sliding into the seat.

"True but not true," he admitted as he shut the door.

The car filled with the faint scent of leather and his cologne when he got in moments later. It was warm and masculine, the kind of scent that lingered in your senses longer than it probably should.

He started the engine and pulled away from the curb smoothly. For a few minutes, neither of us spoke; the music playing through the speakers filled the silence between us.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

His hands rested comfortably on the steering wheel, one tapping lightly against the leather in rhythm with the music.

"So," I finally said, breaking the silence. "Where are we going?"

Xander smirked slightly without looking at me. "If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise."

"I hate surprises." I tucked the loose strands of hair behind my ear.

"You’re going to love this one."

"That’s suspicious."

He laughed quietly. "You worry too much."

The car eventually slowed as we pulled into a lively area downtown. Warm golden lights spilled from restaurants and cafés along the street, and the sidewalks buzzed with people enjoying the evening.

Xander parked near a small restaurant with large glass windows glowing warmly from inside.

My eyes widened slightly. "You brought me here?"

"Problem?" he asked.

"No," I said quickly, stepping out of the car. "It’s just... I didn’t think you were the romantic type."

"Who says I’m romantic?"

"You just took me to dinner."

"That’s because you need food to survive," he replied casually.

I laughed under my breath as he guided me toward the entrance.

The moment we stepped inside, a wave of warm air and delicious aromas wrapped around us. The scent of grilled meat, herbs, and fresh bread filled the cozy space.

A waitress greeted us with a bright smile.

"Two?"

"Yes," Xander answered.

She led us to a small table near the window.

Soft music played in the background while quiet conversations filled the restaurant around us. Candlelight flickered gently on the table between us.

For a moment, I just sat there, taking it all in. It felt... strangely normal. Xander leaned back in his chair, watching me with that same knowing smirk.

"What?"

"You look surprised."

"I am," I admitted.

"Why?"

"Because I expected you to take me somewhere loud and chaotic."

His brows lifted slightly. "You think that little of me?"

"I think you enjoy chaos."

"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "But tonight’s different."

The waitress returned to take our orders. After she left, Xander rested his arms on the table.

"So," he began, a small smile lighting his face. "Tell me something."

"What?"

"Why’d you agree to this date?"

I tilted my head slightly. "You asked."

"That’s not an answer."

"Maybe I was curious."

"About?"

"You."

His expression shifted subtly. "Careful," he murmured. "You might actually start liking me."

I snorted softly. "Your ego is unbelievable."

"And yet you’re still here."

Our food arrived shortly after, and the conversation flowed surprisingly easily between us.

Xander told me ridiculous stories about things he and Xade had done growing up, most of which involved some kind of reckless competition between the two of them.

"You pushed him into the lake?" I asked incredulously.

"He deserved it."

"For what?"

"For saying he could beat me in a race."

"And you couldn’t just race him?"

"I did race him."

"And?" I leaned forward, placing my elbow on the table.

"I won."

"Then why push him?"

Xander grinned. "Because it was funny."

I shook my head, laughing. "You’re terrible."

"Yet charming."

"Debatable."

As the night went on, the tension between us shifted into something warmer. When we finally stepped outside again, the cool night air welcomed us.

Xander spared a glance in my direction. "Walk with me?"

"Where?"

"Just trust me."

I was suspicious about his offer, wondering what other surprises he was hiding, but I nodded anyway.

"Okay, I trust you."