“This is going to be awesome. I can feel it. I’ll be right back. I’m just going to go and book a restaurant now,” I say, getting up from the sofa and walking away with my cell.
Taking a deep breath, I wander over to the other side of her large apartment, wondering what the hell I’m going to organize. I need it to be somewhere where I can be easily hidden, but the night can still be romantic for both Alex and me, as well as our plus ones. So I ring a restaurant that I know caters to celebrities. It has an exclusive venue in downtown LA, and I make sure that the back room is reserved for two tables.
I’m not going to tell Alex I’m doing that, though. I don’t want to scare her, but I know I can’t be in the middle of a packed restaurant. I need to stay hidden, even if there will be security with us. I’m going to try to make the room look romantic for Jaci. But to be honest, it’s more for my safety and also so I can watch out for Alex. I don’t know Logan, and neither does Alex. After all, men online can be far more dangerous than women, right?
I finish making the booking with no hassle and walk back over to Alex, plopping down onto the sofa as she looks up at me nervously. “All booked in for seven. Shall we tell them?” I ask, and she nods like she’s nervous.
“Sure.”
We type a message to Jaci and Logan with the location and time, and they both message back to let us know they’ll be there.
“We should go together,” I say. “Get there early, have a game plan in case it goes sideways.”
Alex raises a brow. “This is totally insane, right? Like… what if they realize we know each other?”
“They won’t, unless we make it obvious,” I say. “We’ll just blend in like two randoms grabbing dinner. It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
But she suddenly looks nervous. “Oh God. What if he wants to leave the restaurant? What if it’s goingtoowell and he tries to kiss me or something?”
I laugh softly. “Honestly?He’d be an idiot not to try. Just roll with it. Be your usual sassy, unfiltered self, he won’t know what hit him.”
She gives me a look, it’s hesitant, almost reluctant. “Are you gonna kiss Jaci?”
There’s something in her tone I can’t quite place.
I shrug. “I mean, if the vibe’s there? I’m not gonna shut it down. Go with the flow, shoot my shot… fly free, little bird. Or whatever the saying is.”
Alex bites her lip. “I don’t know if I’m ready. It’s only been three years…”
I take her hands and meet her eyes, big, brown, and full of panic, and that familiar warmth rushes in as she sinks back into the couch.
“Hey,” I say gently. “I know this is huge for you. It’s scary, yeah. But you’re strong, and brave, and honestly? Kind of a catch. You deserve love, Alex.Real love.And putting yourself out there? That’s brave as hell.” She swallows hard, still not entirely convinced. “I’ll be there the whole time,” I add. “If things get weird or you feel off, just come to my table. I don’t care if my date’s going amazing, you sit with us. No questions.”
She exhales slowly. “Thanks, Matt… You’re beingreallycool about all this. I don’t think I could do it alone.”
I smile. “We’ve got this. Love’s coming for both of us… I can feel it.”
“Okay,” she says, sniffling, then immediately shifts gears. “But just so we’re clear, I’m claiming the remote for the rest of the night.” She grabs it like it’s a trophy, flips to Netflix, and Parks and Recreation starts playing.
Her typical power move.
Chuckling, I pull her legs over mine as we sit, cuddling on the sofa. Being with her is effortless and uncomplicated. I can’t help but hope I can have this with Jaci when we finally meet and that I can fall into the same sort of relaxed friendship. That Jaci accepts me for who I am, and perhaps with a bit of luck, she won’t even recognize who I am. But with knowing a lot about music, that’s probably highly unlikely.
Relaxing, I enjoy my time with Alex as she chuckles at Andy being a complete idiot in front of April. Honestly, this is Chris Pratt at one of his funniest. But as I watch Alex giggling away, I smile, taking her in. I like her just the way she is, and I can’t help but hope Logan isn’t a complete tool. I’ll have to watch him to make sure he doesn’t hurt her.
My thoughts blur as I close my eyes just for a moment.
Having Alex here with me and the calm of the moment, even with the chaos of Parks and Rec, I’m utterly in my element as everything fades away.
Chapter Ten
MATT
A shrill chiming disturbs me as my neck kinks to the side, the pain jolting me awake. Alex jumps up, still half-asleep, and her head darts around her apartment like she’s in shock. Then she looks at me like she’s amazed I’m still here. “Shit. We totally passed out.”
I roll my neck with a groan and yawn. “Yeah, sorry. I was definitely planning to go home. I just closed my eyes for a second… next thing I know, your alarm’s going off.”
Her breaths come in little short, sharp bursts like she’s a bit freaked out. So I reach around and grab her hand while frowning. “Hey, you okay?”
