Page 52 of The Longest Wait

Ever since he first met her, when she was moving into her dormroom with Lucy, Alex was twenty-four and his heart stopped. Hecould remember it like it was yesterday. Sofia had her dark hairpiled on top of her head, with wisps falling around her face as shelugged the rest of her boxes. When he walked into the room andshe looked up at him and smiled, Alex remembered, it felt like hisworld stopped.

He also remembered she was eighteen, and he had no business ogling her. Not only was she younger than him, she was alsohis baby sister’s roommate. That was the day he stomped out anythoughts of Sofia.

Despite every year that has passed, she still made his heart stop.This time though, he wasn’t going to ignore the feeling. Now thathe had her, there was no way he was letting her go. He just had tofigure out how to tell her.

Everything changed the moment they slept together againthree months ago. He wanted more.

SOFIA ROLLED OVER, causing the blanket to expose her breastand, Sofia, full of confidence, didn’t do a thing to cover up. Insteadshe gave him a cocky smile. “I figured since I already slept over,maybe morning sex? Or was that a one-time thing? Are you tooold for morning sex?”

Alex rolled on top of her and grabbed her chin. “Six years. I’monly six years older than you.”

Sofia wrapped her arms around him, snuggling closer to him.“Technically six and a half years older than me, so at times, you’reseven years older.”

Alex gently kissed her. “You’re a brat.”

They were interrupted by the hotel phone ringing. Alex didn’twant to move away from her. He used one arm to prop himself upand used his other arm to grab the phone on the dresser, next toSofia’s side of the bed.

Sofia’s side of the bed. Alex liked the idea of her having a side.

“What?” he gruffly answered.

Travis laughed. “I take it after we talked, you figured out yourend game? Sounds like you consummated it, anyway.”

Alex smiled. “Fuck you and why are you calling?”

Travis enjoyed hearing his friend out of sorts. “Oh, you know,just a friendly reminder we have lunch in five minutes at yourhotel. Melody was really excited when Sofia planned this last night.She was excited to have something to look forward to after hershoot this morning. Catching that? Sofia planned. Ask her if we’restill on, because just like you, I’d rather stay in bed.”

Alex asked Sofia and she jumped out of bed to get ready. Heregretfully said, “Looks like we’ll be there.

In record time they were checking out of the hotel to meetTravis and Melody for lunch. Just like the night before, they allhad fun together, conversation flowing easily.

Travis and Melody were getting ready to leave, when sheasked Sofia, “How long have you two been together? You’re sucha great couple?”

Alex noticed this time, it was Sofia who was off balance. Heanswered for them, “So long, it’s hard to remember.”

Everyone, outside of Sofia, laughed. Lunch finished, and whileAlex lugged their bags for them to get a taxi, Sofia remained quiet.The silence was deafening, and Alex couldn’t do it anymore. Hehad to say what was on his mind, now that they were alone again.

“Sofia, I know you’re being quiet for the same reasons I am. Andjust like you, I can’t think of one damn reason we can’t be together.”

Her mouth dropped in surprise. “How did you know what Iwas thinking?”

“I know you better than you think.”

She rolled her eyes.

“I’ll take an eye roll because that means you agree. Sof, we can’tdeny this anymore, at least I can’t. Give us a chance.”

GIVE US A chance? What the hell was this about? Despite thebutterflies in her stomach and her heart screaming yes, her brainwas nervous. Could she trust him again? She gave a piece of herheart to Alex when she was eighteen, and he broke it. She gave himanother piece when she was twenty-one, and he crushed it, walkingout on her. Did she have any more to give to him?

Alex fidgeted next to her, and it made her realize she wasn’tthe only one nervous. Perhaps he also had some hung up emotionsabout their past. He cupped her face and looked deeply into hereyes. “Sofia, I can’t go back to the hating each other or the justfriends routine. I don’t want to let you go this time.”

Sofia wasn’t sure. “You know it isn’t always going to be rainbows and birds.”

Alex laughed. “I don’t know why I bother to correct you, butit’s butterflies, not birds.”

Sofia waved him off and wondered why does everyone getso uptight about sayings? At the end of the day, it still meant thesame thing.

“Sure,” she agreed with him because there were more important issues to settle. Like could they really be in a relationship? “Wearen’t going to get along every day.”