“Yup, sidekick extraordinaire and go-getter. I’m your gal!”
“Exactly. She can be my calm, and you can be the trusty sidekick that does the adventurous shit with me.”
“Absolutely! As long as Logan doesn’t mind sharing me, of course.”
I chuckle. “Hey, I’m going to be the flower girl at your wedding, so he better like me,” I tease, and she literally bursts out laughing.
Once she gets herself back under control, she takes a steadying breath. “Out of all the things at a wedding, you choose to be a flower girl? Wow, Matt, is there something you’re not telling me?”
“Oh, like what?”
“That you have a split personality and one of them is a little girl dying to get out of you?”
“You got me,” I say with a chuckle, and she giggles.
The atmosphere in the room is one of complete ease and familiarity as I lean into her even more, so now we’re touching quite comfortably. The buzz circling us is just enough to make my skin prickle, but not enough to be electrifying. It’s enough to notice but not enough to act on as we continue through thenight, becoming more and more familiar with each other while messaging Logan and Jaci.
Eventually, the messages die down, and it’s just Alex and me on the sofa watching reruns ofParks and Recreation. I’m in a laid-back sitting position while Alex has her head resting on my lap, and it’s pure comfort. We fit in so well together as friends. There’s nothing about tonight that hasn’t been enjoyable. And for the first time being here, I feel like I’ve been here a million times before. Hell, I feel like this is my place, I’m so comfortable.
Alex yawns, and even though I don’t want to go, it’s getting late, and I don’t want to keep her up, knowing she needs to be up early to go to the gallery tomorrow. I lean down, pulling her up off me. Her sleepy eyes look at me questioningly as she stretches and sits up.
“I’m gonna head off, but thanks for an awesome night.”
She nods, moving the back of her hand to her mouth to cover her yawn. “Shit! Thanks for coming over. Sorry, I’m all sleepy.”
“No, don’t be silly. You have work tomorrow. You need sleep.”
“Thanks, Matt, we should do this again.”
“We definitely should,” I reply as we stand, and she walks me to her front door.
After she opens it, we lean in, embracing each other, and as I pull back, she tilts her head, kissing me on the cheek.
That warm feeling settles over me again, and I squeeze her hand in a friendly gesture before I turn to leave.
Chapter Eight
ALEX
Watching Matt leave, I feel a sense of safety washing over me. Like I will always be protected with him, no matter what.
It’s comforting.
It’s a feeling like he would do anything to make sure I’m happy.
Which, in turn, makes me happy.
I’m so thankful to have a decent friendship with someone.
Looking over to the kitchen table, I figure I better clean up from dinner and then head straight to bed. I know it will be another big day at work tomorrow, so after I tidy up, I get changed into my sleep shorts and shirt and hop into bed.
As my head hits the pillow and I pull the duvet up to my chin, instead of drifting into peaceful sleep, my thoughts spiral. Memories of my parents and grandmother flood in, and when I finally close my eyes, an image of my ex intrudes.
The night passes in restless fits, dreams twisting with feelings of loss and loneliness.
By the time morning arrives, I wake feeling drained, the weight of those dreams still clinging to me. My usual chipper mood is nowhere to be found, but I know I’ll have to push through. Nate needs someone to lift him up, and I’m determined to be that person, no matter how flat I feel.
After a light breakfast and a quick routine to get myself ready, I head out to the gallery as if everything is normal, masking the turmoil beneath with practiced ease.
