“Uh-uh. Nope. Be honest.”
Melissa didn’t look like she’d drop it, so Alexis sighed and sat on a barstool next to the kitchen island. “I was in a very bad, abusive relationship in the past and have no desire to ever go down that road again.”
Melissa’s face softened. “I see. But have you ever considered that not every guy is like that? You might find the love of your life in Lonnie, but you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Alexis smiled softly. “I know.”
But what Melissa didn’t know was that Alexis was keeping several secrets. Secrets she couldn’t ever tell. Not for her safety or anyone’s around her.
Lonnie pulledup to the cupcake shop. The open sign had been flipped to closed, and he could see Alexis standing in the lit-up kitchen near the back doing a spin to show her outfit to Melissa. They spoke animatedly to each other, and he smiled softly.
When he had asked her out on a date, he had expected her to turn him down. Melissa automatically saying Alexis could go almost made him feel bad for her. She clearly didn’t want to, but Lonnie wanted to get her out of her shell. He considered letting her off the hook, but he was too grateful for the help. If anything, he hoped they could be friends.
The truth was, if Alexis got into the car and said she didn’t want to go, he would respect her decision. But based on the smile she had whenever she saw him, he suspected she wanted to.
He got out of his car and looked around the quiet street. Most of the businesses had closed, so there was very little foot traffic. A van down the street caught his eye. He made a mental note of the style and color, but after watching it for a moment, he saw no movement and decided there wasn’t a threat at that time.
Lonnie walked across the street and to the front door of the store, knocking on the glass. Alexis and Melissa turned to look in his direction and smiled. Melissa looked absolutely gleeful with a bright smile on her face. Alexis’s was shyer, but genuine. His excitement grew the closer she got to the door.
When she pulled it open, he smiled. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
She wore black leggings with black boots that came halfway up her calves. Her white sweater dress was fitted to her body and accentuated her curves. Her dark hair was in waves around her face. A black coat was draped over her arm, and she pulled it on quickly before saying “bye” to Melissa.
“Have a good time, you two,” Melissa said with a wink.
Lonnie chuckled. “Have a good night, Melissa.”
He rested his hand at the small of Alexis’s back and walked with her to his car. He opened the passenger door just as the van he spotted down the street earlier passed them. It sped off, and he brushed it off as a coincidence and waited for Alexis to get in before shutting the door and making his way around to the driver’s side.
Once he was behind the wheel, he turned toward Alexis. “I know you were hesitant to go out with me, so if you don’t want to, I completely understand. I don’t want you to feel forced into it. But before you decide, I’d like you to consider just going out with me tonight as a friend if you don’t want to date.”
Alexis smiled softly. “I appreciate the thought, but I’d love to go out with you tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a date though, so forgive me if I’m awkward.”
Lonnie breathed a sigh of relief and turned on the car. “You and me both.”
He drove to a Chinese restaurant Clint had recommended just outside the city. Then he got out and opened Alexis’s door. “Have you ever been here?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t.”
He rested his hand on the small of her back, and she smiled shyly up at him before they walked inside. Once they were seated and had looked over the menu, he smiled at her.
“So, how’s the cupcake business going?”
She giggled. “It’s pretty busy right now with the ball coming up. And Valentine’s Day already gives me a ton of orders, so we’re pretty swamped. Melissa has been a lifesaver, though.”
“You seem like really great friends.”
“We are. She’s the first person I met when I moved here because I had hired her. I tend to keep to myself.” She took a sip of her water and averted her eyes.
Lonnie wondered if he should ask about her past, and it was on the tip of his tongue, but he suspected she wouldn’t answerhim truthfully anyway. The thought was interrupted when a server came by and took their orders.
“Do you have any siblings?” Lonnie asked once he had walked away.
Alexis shook her head. “Nope. Only child. How about you?”
“Only child.”
