Page 41 of Almost Him

“Sounds good. Wake me when we get there,” I tease, laying my head on his shoulder.

“Good idea. Get a nap. You need your rest. I’m going to have my cock in you all night.”

Another thing about Alden, he’s true to his word.

CHAPTER9

The next month is amazing. Alden and I spend every evening together, either at my place or his. We’ve both been busy and our schedules can vary, but we make it work. Sometimes, he goes with me to photograph properties, and I spend lots of time at the garage with him and the guys.

The weather is cold and rainy, typical for March, but I barely notice. The sun may as well be shining directly on me considering how happy I am every day.

Alden meets me for lunch and the giddiness I feel when I see him is ridiculous. He slides into the diner booth across from me. “You got a haircut!” I exclaim.

“I did. You like?”

I reach over to rub the stubble on the sides of his head, then give the long locks on top a little tug. “It’s sexy. You’d better wear a hat so other women don’t see.”

“Pfft. Have you seen me in a hat? Pure sex.”

“Shut up,” I laugh.

The waitress stops by to take our order and once she walks away, Alden whips out a piece of paper. “I have great news.” He hands me the document and my heart jumps into my throat when I seeDNA Analysiswritten at the top. “I told you the judge court ordered her to get the blood test. The results are in.” He grabs my wrist while I’m still scanning the lines, looking for the result. “It’s not mine, Ella. The baby is not mine.” Emotion cracks his voice.

The relief I feel must be nothing compared to his. I slip out of my seat and join him on his side where I can hug him. He holds me tight for a long moment. “I’m glad you don’t have to worry anymore.”

“My life is fucking perfect right now.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head.

The waitress serves our food, and we spend a few comfortable moments of silence while we eat.

“Oliver and Breanna broke up last night,” Alden says, snatching a fry from my plate.

“Oh no. What happened?”

“He didn’t want to talk about it, but my guess is she’s tired of his behavior.”

“Something’s up with him. Do you think he’s depressed?”

Alden shakes his head. “I think he’s drinking.”

Those words hold a lot of weight after their mother’s alcoholism. “Really? What makes you think so?”

“He’s come in the shop more than once smelling of stale booze. He’s not missing work or drunk during the day, but I think he’s tilting his arm every night. I’ve tried to talk to him. He isn’t hearing me.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“No. If it keeps up, the guys and I will intervene on his ass. I’m not going to let him end up like Mom.” He smiles and it sends butterflies into my stomach. “Let’s not let it ruin our mood. It’s a good day. I’m not working this afternoon. What do you have on your schedule?”

“I have to retake photos at a commercial property. I guess they have a potential buyer who wants updated shots. I tried to tell them nothing will look much different, but they insisted.” It’s the property I shot last month that I thought would make a perfect photography studio. Apparently, someone else finally saw the potential in it. The recently lowered price probably didn’t hurt. “After that my afternoon is clear.”

“I’ll go with you,” he offers. “Then we can find something to do.”

“I’d love that. I can’t leave my car here, though. It’s parked at a meter.”

“No problem. I took an Uber. Hudson is changing the starter on my truck. You can drive.”

“Do you make that guy do all your truck maintenance and repairs?” I tease.

“That’s what lackeys are for, El. I pay him well.” He snatches another fry off my plate. “Are you ready to go?”

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