“And frankly,” Alexander continues, his voice pleasant but with an edge of steel, “I have better things to do with my time than stand here listening to you insult the woman I love.”He turns away from her, examining the music box again as if he’s done with this conversation.“So if you could leave me alone, I’d appreciate it.”The complete indifference in his voice—like she’s not even worth his attention—is more devastating than any insult could be.
Amber stands there for a moment, her face cycling through shock, rage, and humiliation.Chase reaches for her arm, clearly wanting to leave before things get worse.
“We should go,” he mutters.
“I think,” Alexander says without looking up from the music box, “that’s an excellent idea.”
Amber grabs Chase’s arm and practically drags him toward the door, her face blotchy with fury and embarrassment.He doesn’t resist, doesn’t defend her, just follows like the spineless coward he’s always been.
The bell chimes as they leave, and suddenly the tears I’ve been holding back threaten to spill over.I press my fingers to my eyes, trying desperately to push them back.Alexander is crossing the shop in three long strides, heading straight for the back room.He appears in the doorway, and his eyes immediately find mine.He doesn’t say anything—doesn’t ask if I’m okay or offer platitudes.He just crosses to me in two steps and pulls me into his arms.
I bury my face against his chest, and his arms close around me, solid and warm.The safety of his embrace, the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear, the warmth of him—it all works to calm the storm raging inside me.I focus on breathing, on the rise and fall of his chest, on the way his hand moves in slow, soothing circles on my back.
The tears recede.My breathing steadies.The tight knot in my chest slowly loosens.
I feel Mom’s hand squeeze my shoulder once before she quietly slips away, giving us privacy.We stand there for a long moment, just breathing together, and gradually the humiliation and hurt fade to something more manageable.
Finally, he asks softly, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I manage, my voice slightly muffled against his sweater.
He tilts my chin up with gentle fingers, studying my face with those intense gray eyes.His thumb brushes along my cheekbone.“You look pretty when you cry, too.”
Despite everything, I laugh—a watery, broken sound—and bat his hand away.“Shut up.”His lips curve into a small smile.
I sniffle, wiping at my nose with the back of my hand.“What a couple of jerks.”
“They are,” he agrees quietly.
I look up at him, suddenly feeling the need to defend myself.“I’m not—I’m not a dead fish in bed.”
“I know,” he says simply, without hesitation.Then his expression shifts, turning sly, that dangerous smile playing at his lips.“Though if you ever need to prove it to me, I wouldn’t mind.”
I laugh again, this time genuine, and shove at his chest.“Perv.”
He catches my hand, holding it against his heart.“Just making sure you know the offer stands.”
I shake my head, but I’m smiling now.“Amber came after you because she can’t stand the fact that I’m with a better man than her.”
“I’m aware,” Alexander says calmly.
“She’s always been like that.Competitive about everything.”
“She’s not my type,” he says, his voice matter-of-fact.“I like my women hardworking and ambitious.”His fingers trace along my jaw.“And with hazel eyes.”
Heat floods my face.“It’s okay, I already feel better.You don’t have to lay it on so thick.”
He takes my hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses the center of my palm, all while holding my gaze.The gesture is intimate, deliberate, and it steals the breath from my lungs.
“Alexander,” I whisper, my voice coming out pleading.“Don’t do this.”
“Don’t do what?”
“This.”I gesture weakly between us.“It’s making it hard to remember this is pretend.”The vulnerability in my voice surprises even me.
His eyes soften, and he gently pulls me back into his arms.This time, he leans down and presses soft kisses to my eyelids—first one, then the other—so tender it makes my chest ache.
“Letting you go was Chase’s biggest mistake,” he murmurs against my skin.
