Sophie’s been chattering nonstop about the Christmas bake sale her friends are organizing for the Winter Wonderland Festival, her words tumbling out in rapid-fire excitement.“—and Tyler thinks we should make gingerbread houses, but I told him that’s too basic.Everyone does gingerbread houses.I want to do something unique, you know?Like maybe sugar cookie ornaments that people can actually hang on their trees, or?—”
She stops mid-sentence when Alexander’s phone rings.
He glances at the screen, and something shifts in his expression—subtle, but I’ve worked with him long enough to catch it.“Excuse me a moment,” he says, stepping away from us.I watch as he moves several feet down the sidewalk, turning his back as he answers.I take a step toward him, and he immediately moves farther away.My eyebrows rise.It’s rare for Alexander to hide phone calls from me.It must be a personal call.But then there is nothing I don’t know about his personal life.So why would he step away?
“He’s probably talking about work stuff,” Sophie says, watching him.Then she turns to me with the bright smile that means she’s about to say something sincere.“I really like him, Livie.”
The warmth in her voice makes me smile despite my curiosity about Alexander’s mysterious call.“He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”
“He’s like the perfect boyfriend.”Sophie’s gaze drifts back to Alexander, something thoughtful in her expression.“He must really love you.”Guilt twists in my stomach.I hate lying to my sister.I open my mouth to deflect, to change the subject, but she continues before I can form the words.“Like he put up Christmas decorations with Dad for you.You know how crazy Dad gets.Alexander just went along with it.This whole morning, it was really cold, and he didn’t complain once.”
My heart does this stupid little flutter that I absolutely refuse to acknowledge.“He’s just—” I catch myself before I can say ‘acting.’“He’s just...attentive.”
Sophie gives me a look that seems far too knowing, and for a terrifying moment I wonder if she’s figured it out.But then she bumps her shoulder against mine playfully.“So what do you like most about him?Like, really?”
The question catches me off guard.Alexander is still on his phone, still far enough away that he can’t hear us.I think about it—really think about it—letting my gaze drift back to where he stands.
“His thoughtfulness,” I say finally, surprised by how easily the truth comes.“The way he cares about the people around him.How he remembers the small things that matter to them.I admire how clever he is, how hardworking.When he commits to something, he gives it everything.”
Sophie makes a face like she just bit into a lemon.“That’s what you’re attracted to?God, Livie, that’s so boring!”
I laugh.“When you’re an adult, you’ll understand.It’s not just about looks.It’s more than that.”
“Don’t tell me you think Chase is better looking than Alexander,” Sophie says, her voice rising with genuine horror at the possibility.
“No.”The answer comes immediately, without even a second of hesitation.“Alexander wins hands down.”
“Thank you,” Alexander’s voice comes from directly behind me.“That really gives me a confidence boost.”I spin around, blushing.Of course he heard.Of course he chose that exact moment to finish his mysterious phone call.
He’s trying not to smile.I can see it in the way the corner of his mouth twitches, in the way his eyes crinkle slightly at the corners.A wave of attraction hits me so hard I have to remind myself to breathe.This version of Alexander, amused and relaxed and almost playful, is dangerously appealing.
He steps closer, slipping his phone back into his pocket.“Study hard, Sophie,” he tells my sister, his tone warm.
Sophie giggles, clearly delighted by my embarrassment.“I will!See you later, Livie!”She practically skips toward the school entrance.The moment she disappears through the school doors, Alexander turns towards me, his expression smug.“So I’m better looking than Chase?”
I refuse to let him see how flustered I am.Lifting my chin, I meet his gaze directly.“Don’t let it get to your head.”
“How can I not?”he murmurs, something flashing in those gray depths—something heated and intent that makes my breath catch and my pulse stutter.He reaches for my arm, and the touch sends electricity skittering across my skin as he tucks it in the crook of his elbow.
“Did you always think that?”he asks as we start walking back toward Main Street, his voice casual but his grip on my arm anything but.“Or only after you broke up with him?”
I sigh, shaking my head even as I feel my lips tugging upward.“You’re never going to let this go, are you?”He chuckles lightly, and despite my best efforts to maintain some dignity, I find myself smiling back.His smile is contagious, infectious, transforming the cold December morning into something warmer, brighter.
“Thank you,” I say, needing to shift the conversation before he can tease me further.“For helping Dad this morning with the decorations.It meant a lot to him.”
“Did Chase ever help with these things?”The question comes out before he seems to think about it.
My expression darkens instantly, and I feel my walls slam back into place.“You don’t have to use Chase as your measuring stick for everything.”
Alexander goes still beside me, and I catch the flash of regret that crosses his features.His voice is quiet but steady.“I’m sorry.That wasn’t fair of me.”
The apology surprises me enough that I let go of my irritation with a long exhale.“Alexander, you’re not a replacement for Chase.You need to understand that.You don’t have to compete with him because there is nothing to compete with.I know you’re trying to show him that I did better now that I’m with you, and I appreciate it, but you don’t have to do any of that.”I give him a small smile.“You being here is enough.You’ve put my family’s mind at ease.”
Alexander is silent, and then he squeezes my hand, his voice calm but I can hear an undercurrent of steel.“He hurt you, Olivia.You and I have been together for a very long time.You are important to me, and I will not have anyone try to put you down.I intend to show your veterinarian that letting you go was his biggest mistake.By the time we leave, I want him to regret hurting you.”
His words have me stopping in my tracks, my heart beating unsteadily, a strange uncertainty filling me as I gaze up at the man before me.“Why?What will it achieve?”
“Nothing.But I intend to avenge you, and this is how I will do it.”
