My eyes widen, but I nod. “For sure.”
“With men. And your mom.”
I nod again.
“Got it.”
“What have you got?” I ask, stepping toward him.
“That you believe the best of people until they screw up.”
“Oh. Yeah, that’s true.”
“And I’m fucked.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“I messed up already. With Harley. And Ruth.”
Oh.
He did.
Dammit.
How did I forget that?
DidI forget that?
Of course not. But… I like him anyway.
But do you trust him?
Strangely, I know the answer right away.
I do. I trust Alex. I trust the things he’s told me, and the way he looks at me.
He likes me. He wants me. He’s out of his element here, but he trusts me. Like the little girl did with Sully, the big monster, inMonsters, Inc. She just went with it, trusting that Sully would take care of her, lead the way, keep her safe.
Am I Alex’s Sully?
Do I want to be?
That’s hilarious but…I like it.
I know he’s waiting for an answer, and there is something in his expression that makes me think this really matters.
“Yeah, that did happen with Harley and Ruth,” I say, acknowledging the situation. “But I still trust you. I guess you’re an exception to some of my rules.”
“On the surface, I would say it’s because I didn’t do anything directly to you, but I know you now,” he says. “I think doing something to someone you love is even worse.”
I’m glad he knows this about me. “That’s true.”
He steps closer again and now lifts his hand to cup my cheek. “Who takes care of you, Nora?”
“What do you mean? Everyone.”
“Do they? Or do they let you take care of them and that makes you happy, so it feels like they’re taking care of you?”
