AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Until me.
And that thought alone has my heart fluttering in my chest, and butterflies taking flight in my stomach.
I’m nervous and excited.
I can handle some bitchy looks as long as Alex doesn’t give them the time of day. And I can be strong enough to forgive his past and not hold it against him as long as he doesn’t give me reason to question him.
Sitting with Alex at the bar when he’s not working is something I need more of in my life. Facing each other with our knees interlocked, we drink, eat, laugh, and I forget the world around us.
“Tell me about your family,” he says, rubbing his hand up and down my thigh.
“It’s just my parents and me.” I shrug. “They’re great, and I miss them, but I like being here more.” I smile.
“Is that so?” He smirks, squeezing my leg.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “If I was there right now, I’d be alone in my apartment, doing absolutely nothing.”
“Really?”
Looking down, I stare at his hand on my leg, and think about how different my life was only a month ago. I don’t know how this is even happening, me and Alex, but I never want to feel as alone as I did again. I have my friends, and I have Alex.
“I was working too much and barely had enough energy to crawl into bed at the end of the day. I was distracting myself from everything I didn’t have, but wanted.”
“Like what?” he asks, rubbing circles on my thigh, distracting me. “What can I help you with?”
“I don’t know.” I look back up at him. “But you’re helping just by being here,” I tell him, smiling softly.
Leaning in, he kisses me, whispering, “Good. I want to give you everything you need, Mel.”
Closing my eyes, I hold back the sting of tears I feel coming on, and kiss him instead. “Thank you,” I whisper, pulling back to see his green eyes shining with the truth. “I’ll be right back,” I tell him, standing. “I’m just going to the ladies’ room.” I just need a little space to get a hold of myself.
“Hurry back.” He smiles, and I kiss his stubbled cheek before disappearing around the corner to where the restrooms are.
Alex is an enigma wrapped in an enigma.
Just when I think I have him figured out even a little, he gives me another piece of the puzzle, and I’m surprised, but then fall even more in love with him.
I crave the intimacy we’re creating. It’s what Ally and Ash have with Jake and Ryan.
I want that. Ineedthat.
What’s the point of being with someone if you can’t be completely, 100%, unapologetically, yourself?
And I am with Alex.
Quickly using the bathroom, I wash my hands, and fix my smudged mascara. I didn’t even reapply before coming here, but I didn’t need to. It’s the Alex effect that as my skin glowing, and my eyes bright.
I don’t need makeup to make me look human anymore. I have him.
Oh my god, that sounds so cheesy.
Smiling at myself, I fluff my hair out, and walk out of there like I own the place.
I’ve always been confident, but tonight, being here with Alex, it has given me a hardened confidence that makes mebelieveI’m beautiful.
But in the blink of an eye, the high I’m riding quickly vanishes when I turn the corner, and my feet freeze on the spot.
Chapter 17
