“Yes,” Alex said plainly, “I would have. I told you I was going to be with you every step of the way, and I meant it. Even at two a.m. when you need a mango.”
“Be careful what you wish for,” Grace said. “I’m probably going to end up calling you in the middle of the night for lychees or guavas or something.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
They smiled at each other, then Grace reached for another carrot stick. Why was Alex being so incredibly sweet all the time? If he’d shown a little of the dismissive, unkind side he’d shown when he’d told her it was over between them and let her be fired, it would have been easier to keep her distance. As it was, keeping her distance was increasingly difficult.
After another hour or so of chatting, during which time Alex ordered several wooden letters to spell out the kids’ names on the nursery wall and Grace polished off both the carrot sticks and the candy, it was time for Alex to go.
“I would stay, but I’m attending another event tonight,” he told her.
“Of course—go for it,” Grace said. “I’ll have a quiet evening of reading my pregnancy book and brainstorming exotic fruits to ask you for.”
“Wonderful,” Alex said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
It wasn’t even a question—they were both certain that they would see each other the next day, as they’d seen each other almost every day for weeks now.
“See you then,” Grace replied. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“It’s fine, I know the way by now,” Alex protested.
“I know, but I want to be a good host.” Grace stood a little laboriously and followed him to the door. Alex reached for the handle but didn’t open it. For several moments, they just looked at each other. Grace could feel something building between them: warmth, tension, hope—she wasn’t sure.
Alex was right there, with those lovely blue eyes behind his glasses, his five-o’clock shadow on his strong jawline, his masculine scent, and his intense gaze. If she leaned closer, she could rest a hand on his firm chest. If she rose up on her tiptoes, she could plant a kiss on his lips.
“Grace,” Alex said softly. There was longing in that word. Hope.
“Alex,” Grace replied.
“I know things have been… complicated… between us, but I think we both?—”
Panic rose in Grace as she realized where this was going. She wasn’t the only one daydreaming about a kiss, and if this went on a moment more, Alex was going to kiss her. And then they’dfall back into the same scary pattern as before, in which Alex was in a position to push her away or break her heart.
Grace couldn’t let that happen. She didn’t trust him quite enough.
At least, not yet.
“Oops,” she interrupted. “Um, look at the time! My goodness. You’d better run or you’ll be late.”
She sounded like her mother when she was flustered, but at least she managed to cut Alex off before he could say anything else.
“Right!” Alex looked at his watch, then at Grace, then took a step back. “See you later. Have a nice evening.”
And then he was gone. Grace leaned against the door, her heart racing. She’d come so, so close to a kiss. And worse, she’d wanted that kiss so much. She wanted the closeness that came from having someone to count on. Someone to care for. Someone to be with her at two a.m. when she wanted mangoes. Someone who loved their children as much as she did.
Someone who might someday loveher.
But there was still too much between her and Alex. She cared about him. She worried she was even teetering dangerously close to loving him. But her distrust still won out. She had to protect herself and her children.
She couldn’t let herself fall for Alex again… not yet.
But maybe there was a future in which she could. Grace swept her fingertips over her lips. Maybe she could talk to him. Ask directly what had happened with the laptop. Finally get someanswers. And maybe the conversation would put her fears to rest so that they could finally be a proper couple.
Maybe.
CHAPTER 19
