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“That makes sense. I always wanted a real tree, but my mom said they were too much work. And honestly? Even though I'm living on my own now, I think she might’ve been right. Getting one into my apartment sounds like a full-day project.”
From there, the conversation drifted easily—updates about the work at the ice cream shop, stories from her day helping at the bookstore. Eventually she leaned back against the couch, studying him thoughtfully.
“I’m curious about something,” she said. “How did your parents end up opening an ice cream shop? And what was that like growing up? You must’ve been the most popular kid in school.”
Reece laughed. “Hardly. And it’s a really boring story. Might put you to sleep.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Then I guess you’ll just have to kiss me awake.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” he teased. “It all started when my dad lost his job…”
And somehow…time slipped away.
Much, much later, Reece blinked awake, momentarily unsure where he was. The room was dimly lit, the television still murmuring quietly in the background.
Alesha was curled up against him.
Not a bad situation to wake up to.
He shifted slightly, glancing at his watch. After two in the morning.
Beside him, Alesha stirred. One hand rested on his thigh as she sat up and stretched, blinking sleepily.
When those amber eyes met his, his heart gave a solid kick in his chest.
She was beautiful.
“Hey,” she said softly.
“Hi.” He reached up, brushing his fingers along her cheek. “We dozed off.”
She nodded, still waking up. “Sorry about that.”
Reece shook his head and kissed the tip of her nose. “Nothing to apologize for. We both did it.”
Alesha studied him for a long moment, and he wondered what she was thinking. Just as he was about to ask, her hand slid into his hair and gently pulled his face closer.
“I believe there was some talk about kissing me awake if I fell asleep during your story.”
Her voice was teasing, but the look in her eyes was anything but.
All Reece could do was nod.
Things like this never really happened to him. He’d never felt such an instant connection with someone before—never felt so completely consumed by the thought of one woman.
And yet, here Alesha was.
Less than a week since they’d reconnected, and he couldn’t seem to think about anything else.
“Reece?” she murmured.
“Hmm?”
“Kiss me.”
And he did.
They shifted together, instinctively drawing closer until she was lying beneath him on the couch. The soft sound she made sent a rush of heat through him. He kissed her, held her, and for a moment, let himself imagine what it would feel like to take things further.
