That’s when it hits me.In six years, he’s never seen me in anything but my work armor—the sleek bun, the tailored clothes, the polished professional who runs his life with military precision.
I swallow hard, trying to find my voice.“I-it’s more professional, up.”
Something flickers across his face.He doesn’t say anything for a moment, just keeps looking at me like I’m someone he’s never met before.Then he seems to catch himself.He blinks, takes a step back, and his expression shifts into something more controlled.
“May I?”He gestures to the barstool next to mine.
I nod, not trusting my voice, and he settles onto the seat.Closely.Close enough that I’m suddenly very aware of the space between us—or the lack of it.His knee is inches from mine.If either of us shifted even slightly, we’d be touching.I’ve had too much to drink.That’s why my brain is so focused on my boss and his proximity to me.
He signals to Rick, who appears with impressive speed.“Scotch.Neat.”
Rick nods and moves to pour, and I’m still trying to process the fact that Alexander is here.In Charlotte.Sitting next to me at an airport bar.After touching my hair like it was something he had every right to do.
“Alexander,” I say slowly, “what are you doing here?”
He accepts the scotch from Rick and takes a sip before answering.“I had a flight booked.To Hawaii.”
I blink.“Hawaii?”
“My family is coming to New York for the holidays.”His voice is back to that controlled, measured tone I know from work.“I wasn’t planning to be there when they arrived.”
Of course he wasn’t.Alexander’s relationship with family holidays is...complicated.I’ve fielded enough calls from his mother to know that much.
“So you were running away to Hawaii,” I say.
“I prefer ‘strategic retreat.’”
“And yet you’re in Charlotte.”
“Yes.”His jaw tightens, and he takes another sip of scotch.“Because Christina told them.”
“Told them what?”
“That I was going to Hawaii.”The words come out clipped, edged with irritation.“My mother called my office this morning, and Christina, in her infinite lack of judgment, informed her exactly where I was planning to spend Christmas.Within an hour, my family rebooked their flights as well.”
I wince.
“You wouldn’t have made that mistake,” he says, and there’s something almost accusatory in his tone.“You would have known better.You would have told them I was unavailable.Working.In meetings all week.You would have handled it.”
“Alexander—”
“This is exactly why I didn’t want you leaving,” he continues, and now there’s real frustration in his voice.“Four days.You’ve been gone for four days, and everything is already falling apart.Christina doesn’t know which calls to screen, she scheduled my mother for a video meeting—a video meeting, Olivia—and apparently she thinks it’s appropriate to share my personal travel plans with anyone who asks.”
Despite everything, despite the whiskey and the heartbreak and the complete insanity of this situation, I feel a small, petty flicker of satisfaction.He needs me.He actually needs me.
“So you canceled Hawaii,” I say.
“I canceled Hawaii,” he confirms.“And now I need new plans.”
“And your new plans involve...Charlotte?”
“I have a layover here.”He turns to look at me fully, and suddenly those gray eyes are pinning me in place.“I was walking to my gate when I saw you.Why are you drinking in the middle of the day?”
His question has my hand tightening around my phone, and I pick up my drink, chugging it.Slamming the glass down on the bar, I call out.“Rick, another please.”
The bartender looks a little cautious as he approaches.“Are you sure?”
“Never been more sure of anything else.”
