The breath is completely knocked from out of my chest when the man in question makes an appearance in the doorway. His eyes smolder when he stares at me, and I’m sure he thinks I am now a sure thing.
These revelations not only break my heart, but they infuriate me. I’m going to kill him.
TWENTY-SIX
Alex
I haven’t feltthis good in a very long time. The future looks bright, and having Mona back is a sure thing. I have no doubts about it after last night. I would bet everything I have on the fact that we are officially back together. Nothing will come between us again.
My heart jumps in my chest at the thought of her. She went downstairs only minutes ago, but it’s as if I haven’t seen her in forever. With that in mind, I rush through a quick shower. I put on the same clothes I wore last night, then take a moment to stare at myself in the mirror. I look the same on the outside, but I feel different on the inside. Being this happy is such a foreign concept, and I’m sure it'll take me some time to adjust to it.
As I make my way downstairs, I look around, wondering if Mona would like to live in a house like the one where Ray and Hayden live. Cal and Evie own something similar, in the sameneighborhood. Kyle and Zara are not too far away from here, and the rest of our friends are in close proximity as well.
All this is making me rethink living in the city. I’ve always thought that I needed to be there to conduct business, but with today’s technology, I could be anywhere. I could commute to the city a couple of days a week.
I continue making plans as I go down the stairs, completely unaware of anything else around me. The closer I get, I hear voices, recognizing Mona’s chuckle as she chats with my friends.
I am so into my own head that I need a moment to process the complete silence shrouding the room upon my entry.
“Good morning, everyone.” My voice is loud and chipper, so unlike my usual self.
I walk directly to where Mona sits, bend over and place a hard kiss against her lips. When I lean back, I see her squinting her eyes at me. She doesn’t seem to be as happy to see me as I am to see her.
“How are you, Zara?” I ask when I notice Kyle’s girlfriend staring at me with incredibly wide eyes.
She is startled that I asked, which throws me off. I know we started off on the wrong foot, but I can’t believe she’d be holding a grudge for this long. Kyle assured me she’d come around.
“I-I’m good.” She clears her throat nervously before glancing to Mona. “How are you, Alex?”
My eyes move back and forth around the room, hoping someone would give me a clue about what’s going on. Kyle shrugs, and Ray stands up from the table.
“I’m gonna go check on Hayden.”
I grab a plate and start piling food on it. I woke up with an appetite, and it shows. Just as I turn to go back to the table, Mona drops her fork to the plate. It rings loud in the awkward silence.
“I’d like to leave now, please.”
She doesn’t even give me a chance to ask why when she’s already up and walking toward where I see her coat and bag.
With the plate of food still in my hand, I stare after her, then look at my friends. Zara looks guilty as hell, while Kyle tries to act nonchalantly, but I can tell something’s up.
“Can I eat first?” I call after Mona.
“No,” she snaps at me. “In fact, I hope you starve to death.”
“Ouch.” Kyle winces in sympathy.
I widen my eyes at him. “What the hell is going on?”
“I’m so sorry, Alex,” Zara jumps in. “I assumed you…”
Kyle wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t, baby. Let them work it out on their own.”
“But I should’ve never…”
He cups the back of her head and presses a thumb to her lips. “Shh, trust me.”
Angry steps approach from behind. I turn just in time to see an angry Mona looking like she is about to beat me with her purse. She points at my plate.
