I know she’s not being honest, but she clearly doesn’t want to talk about it. I feel helpless, wishing I could do more, so I just remind her I’m here.
“If you need me for anything, you have my number. Please use it if you need to.”
Mia hugs me again, clinging tight. I hold her close, vowing to check in more often.
“Thank you for the tickets,” she says, wiping her eyes as she pulls away.
“You’re welcome.”
Alek appears in the doorway, inked arms crossed over his chest, watching me with eyes that radiate warmth and love.
After one last glance at Mia, I close the space between Alek and me with purposeful steps.
When I’m close enough, he hooks his fingers to my hips and pulls me to him. He slides his arms around me, brushing a kiss on my forehead.
This is another change in Alek. He no longer shies away from public affection. Whenever he can show the world he’s mine, he does.
“You have a huge fucking heart, you know that?” he says in a low tone.
“She’s carrying a heavy load,” I murmur, my thoughts drifting to the trouble I sense between her and Jack.
“I love you, baby girl.”
I run my hands up his chest and around his neck, rising to brush my lips over his. “I love you, too.”
Alek laces his fingers with mine and leads me into his office, asking Mia to hold all calls.
“Not that I’m complaining you’re here—I truly never will—but is everything okay? I can tell by the tension in your face that you’re worried about something,” he says, concern flickering inhis voice, his arms tightening more protectively as I settle into his lap.
“Do you have time to go get fitted for a tux, either this evening or tomorrow?”
“If you need me to make time, then consider it done.”
Digging through my bag, I pull out the invitation and pass it over.
He scans it quickly. His eyes glow as he beams at me, pride and awe shining in his expression. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Hayvin. You’re being nominated again.” He reads it over again before setting it carefully on his desk. Then he turns to me, his eyes glossy, emotions thick in the air. “A fucking Golden Globe for Best Original Song?”
Shortly after Alek and I found our way back to each other, a producer for a new dark romance film approached me to write music for the film. The movie was based on Through the Darkness by bestselling author Chaya Hughes, so I knew it would be special. I met Chaya through her best friend, Blue from Paradox of You, and being asked was a huge honor. After working through my nerves with Alek, I said yes. Once the director shared their vision, the song came to life almost effortlessly.
In just four days, Toxic Temptation will be up for Best Original Song. It still feels unreal.
I run my fingers through his hair, calming myself. “A crew will come by the house on Friday to get us ready. Just make sure your tux is ready.”
“I won’t let you down.”
My fingers trace from his hair to his face. “I never doubted you, handsome. Are you ready to take this step with me? Together, this time?”
During one of our honest conversations, Alek confessed to being in the audience during each award show I attended. Mybrain wasn’t deceiving me when I won Songwriter of the Year. It did send off a fresh round of triggers for me, but Alek was so damn patient as we worked through it together.
“I’m always going to be by your side,” Alek informs me.
I stay on his lap just talking with him until Mia knocks on his door to let him know his two o’clock appointment is waiting for him in the conference room.
After I climb from his lap, he rolls his sleeves back down and gives me a sweet, heated kiss. “I’ll see you at home in a few hours.”
Hearing those words still fills me with warmth. Six months ago, Alek sold his apartment and moved in with me. Sharing a home again is everything I ever wished for.
With Alek, life is anything but predictable, and I can’t wait to see where our story leads next.
