“Nothing.”I set the book down carefully on the counter, like it is something precious.“I just—I haven’t talked to her in over a year.”
“Why not?”There’s genuine curiosity in his voice, no judgment.
I lean back against the counter, crossing my arms.The oven hums behind me, filling the kitchen with savory smells.“All my friends were Chase’s friends, too.After the breakup, no one reached out.I just assumed they took his side.”
Alexander’s expression shifts, something hardening in his eyes.“That’s not like you.”
“What?”
“To assume.”He moves closer.“You’re one of the most analytical people I know.You don’t jump to conclusions.You gather evidence.”
I pause, his words settling over me.He’s right, and I hate that he can see through me so clearly.
“Chase is the golden boy here,” I say quietly.“His parents are doctors—successful, respected.He’s the only vet in town.Everyone loves him.”My voice drops.“Having him cheat on me made me feel small.Like I wasn’t good enough.”
Alexander lifts his hand as if to touch me, but I shake my head quickly.
“I know it’s not true,” I say.“I know that logically.But everybody in this town loves Chase, and I just—I pulled away.It was easier than risking more rejection.”
His expression softens.“Well, one of them still misses you.”
Something warm blooms in my chest.“I’ll go see her soon.”
I wash my hands again, then move to check on the shepherd’s pie through the oven window.Almost ready.I pull it out and set it on the stovetop to cool, the golden-brown top perfectly bubbled and crispy around the edges.
Alexander has finished stirring the hot chocolate, and he pours it into two mugs, the steam rising with the scent of peppermint and chocolate.He brings them to the kitchen table while I serve generous portions of the shepherd’s pie onto plates.
We sit across from each other at the worn oak table, and for a moment it’s just the comfortable sounds of eating—forks scraping plates, mugs being set down, satisfied sighs.
“This is good,” Alexander says between bites.
“Thanks.”I take a sip of hot chocolate.“So is this.You nailed Mom’s recipe.”He looks pleased, and I try not to find that endearing.
We eat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, and I’m surprised by how natural this feels.Sitting at my parents’ kitchen table with Alexander, eating food we made together, the Christmas lights from the neighbor’s house casting soft colors through the window.
It’s domestic in a way that should feel strange, but doesn’t.
“You know,” I say, breaking the silence, “Amber isn’t going to let this go.My destroying her phone.She’ll try to get even with me.”
“She can try.”Alexander sips his hot chocolate.
“Don’t go picking fights with her and Chase,” I say firmly as I pick up my plate and head over to the sink.“Please.I’m not going to stoop to their level, and I don’t want you to, either.”
“You threw her phone in the fishtank, Olivia,” he reminds me.
“That was different,” I mutter.“It was in the heat of the moment.”
“Should I guard my phone around you from now on?”he asks, and I turn to snap at him only to see his lips curved.
He’s teasing me.Jerk.
“Alexander.”I make a face.“Just do what I’m asking.Don’t pick fights with them, okay?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”His tone is perfectly innocent, which immediately makes me suspicious.
“Alexander—”
“I ran into Chase today, actually.”He leans back in his chair, stretching his long legs out under the table.“He told me you’re using me.That I’m just a rebound.”
