There’s something about her sofa that causes us to fall asleep quickly. When we woke up the following day, she seemed shocked once again that it had happened a second time. While our relationship has grown substantially, and she knows I’m not going to hurt her, there’s still a part of Alex that has her guard up. I’m happy that she sees me for who I am, and I hope she can let someone else into her life.
Of all people, Alex deserves to be happy.
Now, I’m walking up the three flights of stairs to her door to pick her up for her fundraiser event at the women’s shelter tonight. I have no idea what’s in store, but something tells me it’s going to be somewhat chaotic.
Reaching her door, I knock gently and wait, checking my watch to see I’m five minutes early. I grin at hearing the melancholy sounds of James Arthur’s latest album coming from inside her apartment. The handle clicks, and the door opens slightly as Alex peers through with a bright smile on her face. Her hair’s in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing ripped jeans and a blackRamonesshirt. She has a choker tied around her neck—a simple black band with a heart hanging from it. Alex is total rocker-chic, and to be honest, she’s damn hot.
Pursing my lips, I look her up and down and grin as she opens her door fully. She takes a step back, gesturing for me to comeinside. I continue to stare before she furrows her brows, looks down at her outfit, and sighs. “What? Do I look like shit?”
“No, it’s just you look different from what I’m used to. At the gallery, you wear business clothes, and on the date, you were all dressed up. This rocker glam is totally new.”
“You don’t like it?”
“Just the opposite. I’m thinking how much this looks like the real you. Like I’m actually seeingyoufor the first time right now.” Before I can think it through, I lean in and press a soft kiss on her cheek. The gesture feels natural, almost instinctive, but the moment my lips brush her skin, I realize what I’ve done.
Her cheeks flush instantly, and she stares at me wide-eyed. “Uh… what was that?” she asks, her voice a mix of surprise and something else I can’t quite place.
I step back, my face heating as I fumble for words. “I, ah… it just felt like the right thing to do,” I mumble, rubbing the back of my neck, my confidence evaporating.
Alex blinks a few times, her lips parting as if to speak, but then she looks away, biting back a shy smile. The air between instantly charges, heavy with something unspoken, and I can’t tell if I’ve just made things better or infinitely more complicated.
The album clicks over to play the song titled “All My Love,” and I smile to myself as she chews on her bottom lip and lets out a small chuckle.
“Well, this is more me. This is pretty much Alex on a platter right here.”
“Actually, I think you should be more you, more often,” I say honestly.
“Thanks. Okay, I’ll grab my shit, and we can go?” She walks over, turns off the music, and grabs her bag, then comes back to me with a bright smile. “Let’s head out, hey?”
I grab the door for her, leading Alex out of her apartment before we head down the stairs toward my car—my prizedpossession. A Lucid Air Sapphire, painted in that striking sapphire color. Insane performance, sex appeal, all the latest tech.Very me.
This car is personal. It’s like showing someone a piece of who I am that not many people get to see. This car isn’t just a ride—it’s my sanctuary, my escape—and letting Alex near it feels significant in a way I can’t quite put into words.
Scott and Dwayne are waiting as usual, but this time, instead of following us in their own car, Scott’s in the driver’s seat of my Sapphire. It’s a rare thing to let someone else take the wheel, but I figure it’s worth it. This way, I can focus entirely on hanging out with Alex rather than splitting my attention between her and the road.
As I slide into the rear passenger seat next to her, I can’t help but feel a twinge of unease—like handing over control of my prized possession is another step in letting someone into my world.
“Good evening,” Alex greets as we slide into the back of the leather-lined car.
“Evening,” they reply in unison, looking at me with a nod.
“So you told Tillie about tonight?” Alex asks as the car takes off at high speed, the engine purring. It’s not the thunder of a V8. It’s sleeker, a futuristic growl that starts as a whisper and climbs into a scream. The kind of sound you feel in your chest more than your ears. Controlled, electric, addictive. It’s the sound of power re-engineered, like a synth riff in the middle of a guitar solo, unexpected, but somehow hotter.
“Of course. Although I didn’t really know what to tell her, other than I’m helping with a fundraiser, seeing as I don’t really know what else we’d be doing there, Little Miss, Keeps-Everything-to-Herself.”
She grins. “Well, I can’t tell youallmy secrets now, can I? Where’s the fun in that?”
“Fine, guess I’ll find out when we get there.”
She simply shrugs. “Guess you will.”
The car ride isn’t long, and when we arrive, there’s a swarm of people in front of the shelter. After Scott parks the car, he and Dwayne get out, each moving to open our doors to help us out.
“You ready?” Alex asks.
“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be ready for, Alex,” I reply, and she chuckles.
The first thing I notice is that the street is partitioned off, kind of like a street fair. As I take in the stalls and people lining the lane, it’s all pretty cool. People notice me, and their eyes light up, but no one rushes me or starts fangirling. It’s like they all were expecting to see me here… which I guess is Alex’s doing.
