Neither of us says a word. We just walk, and the silence is killing me. But he’s still here.
I can smell his crisp alpine and vetiver scent, and he’shere.
There are so many things I want to say.
But all I say is, “This is me,” as we approach the block where my hotel resides. “Coming up.”
I wait for him to say something. I heard his words at the cafe. He’s been flirting with me the entire night, but now he’s quiet? Now that we’re alone, he wants to stop?
Before I can speak, I feel his hand. He takes mine and laces our fingers together. It’s the smallest gesture, but it speaks louder than his voice ever could.
I stop in the middle of the sidewalk and someone runs into me, nearly knocking me over.
“Watch it, asshole,” they bite out.
“You watch it!” I shout as Jordan pulls me away from them. The motion puts me right up against him, and I stop breathing.
The sounds of live music fill the air, coming from one of the bars nearby, the singer crooning out words about how even a changing night can never change the love between two people. The belligerent passerby is long gone and people move around us, but I don’t move. I can’t.
Because Jordan Mackenzie is holding my hand. On the street. Around a thousand people. I’m still pressed against his body and he isn’t freaking out. He isn’t pushing me away. Hundreds of people have walked by already, and we’re still here, touching each other more than what friends would do.
All at once my heart beats, coming back to life under his amber gaze. I hear those words loud and clear.
I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could change how I feel about Jordan.
Only him.
“Jordan…” I breathe his name as the anxiety kicks in. He looks down at me, licking his lips.
“Alex…”
God, I’ve missed him so fucking much. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about him.
About what I lost.
His words from the cafe reverberate in my brain.
How could Inotgive him another chance? All I’ve ever wanted was him. All I’m ever going to want is him. If this year has shown me anything, it’s that him in my life is what makes it better.
My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I look from him to my hotel. I’m terrified I’m going to screw this up, too, somehow, but I push the thoughts away, and look him in the eyes as I find my courage. “Do you want to walk me up?”
“Absolutely,” he says, giving my hand a soft squeeze.
He holds my hand the entire way. Through the doors, in the elevator. Down the hall.
His palm against mine is warm and soft and is a victory all its own.
“You, uh… have any plans tomorrow? Before the opening, I mean?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Not really. Just dinner with everyone, apparently.”
He hums as his thumb strokes the side of my hand. I keep waiting for him to drop it. To remember we’re in public and people can see us, but he doesn’t.
“I heard about this donut shop that is supposed to be amazing. They pile on the toppings, and their pink sprinkle donut is supposed to be the best in the city,” he says humorously.
“Is it now?” I ask.
“We should check it out.”
