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“That is what I do all day.”
Tipping her head back, she showed her smile. “You sneak down to the gym to work out too though, don’t you?” When his somber expression darkened, she laughed and squeezed his arm. “Don’t worry, hottie, I’ll keep your secret.”
Still holding his arm in one hand, she stroked his side with the other. Inappropriate thoughts were difficult to chase away when faced with such a defined torso, such muscular arms… Shit, now she understood why he locked the bathroom door. Women could be sleazy too. It was nothing anyway. Just her subconscious fantasies reminding her conscious mind how long it had been since she got laid.
The back of his curled fingers brushed her jaw, tempting it higher. The exploration in his eyes examining her face was encouraging. Whatever she was doing there, whatever comfort she offered, it lightened the load of his heartache. For the first time, she really saw him considering the future. A compliment could go a long way with someone whose confidence had taken a knock.
“You will find it,” she murmured, stepping a little closer, resting her hands on his torso. “Sometimes life seems too hard, like maybe there’s no point in facing a new tomorrow. But you will find someone to love you the way you deserve to be loved.”
“Button—”
“I have to go,” she said, inspired by the new aura around him. “I really wish I didn’t, but Bryan’s been an ass to Tia again and she’s a mess.” Backing away, she went to retrieve her phone from the bed. “The pizza is on the counter, and I left the bottle of tequila on the coffee table. Watch the movie and eat something.” She went back to take his hand. “Call me before you go to sleep.” Doubting herself, she squeezed her lips together. “I can stay if you need me to stay.”
He didn’t immediately answer. Was he worried? She fully expected him to say she could go but had to rely on instinct whether it was smart.
“I’ll be fine,” he said, curling his fingers around the ends of her hair. “You should go be with Tia.”
“Promise?” she asked. He nodded and managed a smile. Typical of Alex to put on a brave face. “I told you Bryan was an asshole, didn’t I? Now he’s coming between us too.”
“We shouldn’t let him make a habit of that.”
“I can come back, if she falls asleep.”
“You have work tomorrow,” he said. “And I don’t want you running around the city too late.”
“Okay,” she said. “Promise you’ll call me before you go to sleep.”
“I promise.”
“Okay,” she said, glancing around.
Where was her purse?
“I hung it up by the door,” Alex said, reading her mind. “Your shoes are on the floor underneath it.”
She laid a hand on his cheek. “I’d be lost without you.”
Tucking her hair back behind her ear, his fingers remained there. “You’ve been my rock this week, Button.”
“That’s what you do for friends,” she said, turning her head to point at her cheek. “Kiss.”
On a short laugh, he descended. “Okay.”
Pressing his mouth to her cheek, the way he lingered closed her eyes. Something about his mouth there, the warmth of his breath, embedded a wonder deep inside her.
When he stood straight again, it took some effort to shake that awakening off. “Be good,” she said. “I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow.”
“Yes, you will.”
Since her gym was out of commission, Alex had signed her up as a guest to use the one in his building. Just like him to be so incredibly sweet. Learning he had a gym in his building was a real coup. Few people had that luxury. It also meant that after her workout, she could use the shower in his apartment… and check in on him.
“Still okay to use your gym on Saturday?”
“Definitely.”
“Thanks.”
Going to the front door, she ignored the chill in her fingers as they took her purse and jacket from the hook. Alex was a good man; that was a rare thing. Finding a friend like him was a win she wouldn’t take for granted. As time went on, he’d eventually get over his breakup with Lance. Which of them would need the other more then?
