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Delightful as it would be to hear the sentiment returned, I won’t force the words from her lips. Every time our lips meet, every small touch and smile she gives only me, every whispered exchange and side glance… I sense it. I see it. Ifeelit. The deep affection she holds for me in her heart.
And for her, I will wait.
Tightening my hold on her, I whisper against her hair, “Don’t feel pressured to say it back.” Her frame relaxes a fraction. “Wasn’t my intention to make you uneasy.”
She inches away and tips her head back to meet my eyes. Uncertainty lingers in her blue irises, darkened by the night. Hair sweeps across her cheek and I lift a hand, brush the tips of my finger over her brow, and tuck the strand behind her ear. My thumb strokes the apple of her cheek as her eyes dart between mine.
“Braydon, I—”
“Shh.” I drop my lips to hers and she kisses me back.Thank god.“Unless the next words out of your mouth are,I never want to see you again,” I say, painting the edges of her lips with my fingers, “you don’t need to justify how you feel.”
Her gaze falls to my lips for one, two, three breaths before meeting my eyes again. In the dimly lit alley, I see much more than expected in her eyes. Fear. Indecision. Guilt. Disbelief. Longing. Something akin to love.
The last one… I cling to it. Let it fill me up and drive me forward.
A flower doesn’t suddenly appear from nothing. Doesn’t blossom and expose itself without warmth and support and time. And love is no different.
“I-I’m just not… ready.”
I cup her cheeks and press my lips to hers. “Whenever you are, I’ll be here.”
Before either of us says another word, a camel-colored camper van parks on the opposite side of her car. Alessandra drops her arms and steps out of my hold. A wide smile brightens her face as the door opens and a man with identical hair color to hers steps out.
She dashes around me and slams into him just as the car door closes. He wraps his arms around her waist and lifts her off the ground, swinging her in circles.
“Missed you, Baby A.”
He peeks over her shoulder and locks eyes with me. “Missed you too, Ales.”
With one look, one action, my lack of concern over her response to my admission does a one-eighty. I am not jealous of her brother. But I am jealous of the instantaneous affection without hesitation.
And jealousy never ends well.
CHAPTER33
ALESSANDRA
Rolling onto my side, I stretch my arm and discover the sheets beside me cold. I crack my eyes open, give them a moment to adjust to the early morning sunlight peeking through the blinds, and zero in on the vacant pillow.
I bolt upright, the sheet pooling at my waist as I scan the room. “Braydon,” I rasp out.
No response.
Did he leave?After his proclamation last night and my inability to tell him how I feel in return, it wouldn’t surprise me if he ran.Please tell me he didn’t run.
I toss the comforter from my legs and swing them off the bed. Rise and tug on my robe. Use the bathroom and brush my teeth before I shuffle for the bedroom door.
Muffled conversation and the low volume of the television hit my ears as I open the door. A sigh of relief caves my shoulders when I hear Braydon speak, his tone serene. Leaning against the frame, I eavesdrop on the quiet exchange between Anderson and Braydon. Anderson talks about his travels throughout the country, and Braydon pops in a question or two when he pauses.
The two men met less than twelve hours ago. Exchanged names, handshakes, and asee you in the morningbefore we went into our respective bedrooms. Dark half-moons under his eyes and a sluggish tempo to his stride, Anderson would crash in minutes. Would sleep through the muffled noises across the hall.
Darkness hadn’t blanketed my bedroom until after two this morning. My legs tangled with Braydon’s and palm over his heart, sleep came easily with him in my bed. It always did.
I glance back at the clock on my bedside table—8:47a.m.
How long have they been awake?They spoke like old friends that hadn’t seen each other in months, not like unfamiliar company.
Deciding I’ve invaded their hushed moment long enough, I step into the hall and shuffle toward the sound of their voices. Anderson spots me first, stopping midsentence to throw me a toothy smile.
