We all laugh, picturing the two people that hate each other most in the world ending up together in the end.
Liv and Soph finish setting the last of the decorations. We laugh and dance around the living room to Christmas music. I occasionally help with a garland, or wreath, or string of lights, but do more smiling and nodding than anything else.
When they leave, I sit in silence for a long white, trying to catch my breath again before having to leave for Alex’s.
When I getto his house, he’s standing at the door waiting for me with a smug little grin tugging at his lips. “Close your eyes,” he orders gently.
I quirk a brow. “Is this how I die? Because honestly, at this point, I wouldn’t even fight it.”
He rolls his eyes, stepping closer and placing both hands over mine as I cover my eyes. “Just trust me.”
I let him guide me, feeling the warmth of the inside as soon as we walk through the threshold. Something delicious fills the air but I can’t pinpoint it. When he tells me to open my eyes, I suddenly feel unable to breathe or speak or move. The dining table is set beautifully— candlelight flickering against the rich wood, a bouquet of deep red roses in the center and rose petals spread throughout the entire area. Soft music plays in the background, the entire space feeling like something out of a dream.
“Alex, no lo puedo creer. You did all this?” I whisper, looking up at him.
He shrugs like it’s nothing, but the slight pink in his cheeks gives him away. “Wanted to have a quiet night in with you before tomorrow.”
Emotion rises in my chest as my throat feels like it’s going to close up.
He pulls out a chair for me, kissing the side of my head as I settle in. He walks around the table, into the kitchen and brings out two plates of homemade Ajiaco, a Cuban country-style stew. He sets both plates down before sitting across the table from me.
“Did you make this?” I question his culinary abilities, as I don’t think I’ve seen him cook any kind of food, ever.
“Yes,” he admits, suddenly looking like a shy little boy. “Cam gave me your mom’s recipe. It took a lot of begging so I hope it tastes okay.”
“I’m sure it’s great.”
And it is. The first spoonful hits my mouth and I’m pleasantly surprised to discover that it does, in fact, taste just like Mom’s.
“It’s so good, Alex. Really.” I announce before eating another spoonful.
His lips curl up in a bashful smile, but I can see how truly proud he is.
We eat and laugh and joke. Everything is perfect. Honestly,tooperfect. It makes the ache in my chest grow larger. I don’t know how many more of these moments I’ll get with him and it’s actually heartbreaking to finally have him back in my life after all these years at the wrong time, when my days are numbered and the chance of us actually having a future together are slim to none.
For tonight, I let myself have it, but the thoughts linger in the back of my mind.
After we finish our food, Alex stands and reaches into his pocket. “I have something for you.”
I frown. “I thought we said no gifts.”
“It’s technically not from me.”
He pulls out a small, delicate locket and I freeze. My heart clenches painfully as I recognize it immediately, the gold, the tiny engraving, the way it gleams even in the dim candlelight.
I cover my mouth. “How did you?—”
“Cam gave it to me,” Alex says softly. “Thought I should be the one to give it to you.”
Tears spill over before I can stop them. I take it from his hands, fingers trembling as I trace the locket I haven’t seen in over a decade. My mom wore it every day. It was hers, and now it’s mine.
I clutch it to my chest, closing my eyes. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Alex steps closer, wrapping me in his arms. “Just say you’ll keep fighting. That you’ll stay.”
I sniffle, burying my face against him. “I’ll try.”
He walks over to me and grabs the locket from my hands, reaching to clasp it around my neck. I touch it against my collarbone. It’s a reminder that she’s still here with me, even though I miss her every second of every day.
