They didn’t say how he sustained his injury, but I know. I watched it with my own two eyes. He hasn’t pressed charges or called me or made any sort of contact since, which I’m thankful for.
I’ve practiced the words in my head for weeks, knowing this appointment was coming up. I had every hope I’d get the all clear, but now that I’ve heard the words…
It’s really happening.
It’s time to make a move, Alex.
When I walk through the doors, the house is empty. Jordan won’t be home for a few hours. So I clean up the kitchen, and tidy up the living room. I text Britt and tellher the good news. I work on making dinner and chill some wine in the fridge. Some fruity concoction Austen brought for the holidays that I can’t get enough of. I love fruity alcohol. It’s my favorite. I’m not sure if Austen did that on purpose, or if it was a lucky guess, but either way, I have a new favorite drink.
I’m relaxing with my glass as he walks through the door, hanging his keys up. I can’t contain my excitement and so I set my glass down and meet him in the kitchen. He hugs me. Kisses me.
“What’s for dinner tonight?” he asks, nearly breathless when he breaks away. I stare at his kiss-swollen lips, his flushed cheeks.
God, he’s so fucking cute when I catch him off guard.
“Penne Ala Vodka,” I say with a grin. “Withpancetta.”
He wrinkles his eyebrows. “What the fuck is pancetta?”
I shrug. “Delicious. You’ve eaten it before. It’s like fancy bacon.”
He shakes his head. “If you say so.”
My heart is in my throat again as I watch him move through the space.
“So, how’d the appointment go?” he asks as he plops down on the couch. I pour him a glass of wine and take my seat next to him.
He takes it from me, eyeing it suspiciously. He’s not a wine guy, but I’ll drink it if he doesn’t.
“It’s the stuff Austen brought to Christmas,” I say. “It’s good.”
He raises an eyebrow but takes a sip. “Not terrible.”
I chuckle because he takes another sip immediately after.
“Yeah, about the appointment,” I say, taking a large gulp of my wine.
My palms are sweaty but I have to do this. I have to tell him. And then I have to say the thing that terrifies me the most. Because what I’m about to ask him could completely backfire and ruin everything.
I don’t think it will, but… it could.
His eyebrows furrow and he looks concerned. “Shit, was it bad?”
I shake my head, licking my lips.
Take a breath, Alex. You got this.
“No, it was, uh… it was—” I clear my throat, glancing up at him. “It was good,” I say carefully. “Like, really good.”
He sets his wine glass down, his expression serious.
“How good?”
I fight to keep my gaze trained on him. I let out a heavy breath.
“All clear,” I say shakily.
“All clear?” he asks, his voice kicking up a notch.
