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“Want to know a secret?” I whisper, standing toe-to-toe.
“What?” Her question is quiet.
“I’ve also noticed your changes, and I like them all.” I wrap my arm around her waist, tugging her to me. She rolls her eyes up to look at me. “All of them,” I emphasize, my voice deeper than usual. When our bodies become flush, she gasps in surprise at my bold move.
Taking the chance, I capture her warm lips with mine in a soft kiss. Lex sighs, bringing one of her arms around my back. It’s chaste at first—a simple reconnection—then, it deepens. I thought I’d never have her in my arms again. When I’m with her, everything feels right. I forget about my family, my job, the pressure I’m under. Peace surrounds me in her presence.
“Whoa…”
The female voice that just said that hits me like a bucket of ice water. I step back, and Lex freezes, staring over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry. I seem to have walked into the past. Like, four years ago. Who knew I could time travel?”
I turn and see Ellie smiling at us.
“Although, I will say I approve.” She points at us.
“Hey,” Lex says, her lips pressed into a straight line. “What are you doing here?” Her voice is tight.
“Not meaning to interrupt this moment. I saw the light on and thought I’d say hi, but you were already greeted in a much better way.” She shimmies her shoulders, and a deep laugh escapes me.
“Goodness…” Lex tosses her head back and stares at the ceiling.
“No worries, I’ll let you get back to whatever this is.” Her finger wiggles between us. “Maybe lock the door, though.”
“I’m going to get changed.” Lex turns around but stops and looks at me. It seems as if she wants to say something but instead shakes her head and disappears into the back room.
“So…” Ellie waggles her eyebrows. “Working your magic?”
“Uh…”
“Don’t get shy on me now, Hudson. Just know, if you hurt my girl again, I’ve got a collection of shotguns that I’m not afraid to use. I could get some target practice in, now that I think about it.” She turns her head, staring off as if thinking about it.
“No need,” I say quickly.
“Good, good.” She nods, staring at me. “She had it rough when you two broke up. Be sure that you won’t leave her again before you drag her along.”
“I’m not dragging her along, Ellie.” I cross my arms and turn to look at her straight on.
“I hope not.”
“I hurt, too. She wasn’t the only one,” I defend.
“Sure, I believe that, but you went on to experience a new chapter of your life while she stayed here questioning her worth.”
“What?” I furrow my eyebrows.
“You didn’t hear it from me,” Ellie sighs and looks over my shoulder, likely making sure Lex isn’t within earshot.
“She thought she wasn’t good enough. She couldn’t compete against your family, no matter your differences with them, and that affected her. Your actions went against everything you told her.”
I scrub a hand down my face. “I know,” I confess. “I never meant for it to happen that way.”
“I believe that, but it doesn’t take away that it did.” Ellie squeezes my arm. “Just be sure you can keep your promises this time around.”
“I’m working on it.” I nod, feeling all the happiness from earlier deflate like a saggy balloon.
“Good. I’m gonna go. Tell Lex I’ll call her later.”
