I chuckled. “We have a dinner to get to.”
“I know. Oh, hey, I wanted to show you something before we go.”
In one quick move, Alex handed me the kitten, which I suspected was one more play in his evil plan to get me to fall in love with the darn thing. Clicking away at the computer, he pulled up the website of a popular bed-and-breakfast just over the Idaho-Montana border.
“I’ve heard of that place. It’s crazy popular in the summer,” I said.
“They’re hiring us for an entire renovation of their property in the spring. Uprooting and replacing trees, adding shrubs, flowerbeds, everything. And they’re installing a huge fountain too.”
“Oh, that’s cool!”
He nodded. “John says he wants me to be on the team, which is, like, unheard of for new contractors. They usually start with smaller stuff, but since he’s already seen what I can do…” He waved a hand.
My eyes went wide. “Hon, that’s great! I’m so proud of you!”
“It won’t be easy, and it’ll take most of the summer, but if it goes well, John says he’s looking to fill one of the team lead positions, so it could mean a promotion.”
I wrapped my arms around him, barely remembering not to squish Angel as I did. “You’ll do amazing, I know it. Anytime you start to doubt it, just think about all you’ve done to this place.”
“I know,” he said with a smile. “I really enjoy doing this type of work. It’s rewarding for me, seeing something get new life like that.”
I hugged him again, pleased when he pulled me in to sit on his lap. “You know, I’ve wondered if it’s maybe a little therapeutic for you? Since you know what it feels like to have to start fresh,” I said softly.
Alex’s eyes warmed. “Yeah. I do. Thank you for helping me see that. I’ll forever be thankful you pulled over to help Roxy that day, Vaughn.”
“Me too.” I kissed him again. “Oh, hey! You just reminded me… Kristin came for Diego today. You just missed them actually.”
He quickly looked away, his cheeks turning pink. “Yeah?”
“You paid for Diego’s care because of what I did for Roxy, didn’t you? A little ‘pay it forward.’”
It took him a moment to answer, and I watched the subtle bob of his Adam’s apple as he swallowed. “After what they went through… I just wanted to help. It’s like you said the night we met. We all deserve a little grace. I know it wasn’t much, but if it helps them, then I wanted to do it.”
I hooked a finger under his chin and turned him toward me. “You truly are an amazing man, Alex Sorreno.”
He smacked my ass. “All right. We really better get moving or Melanie is going to give us hell. It’s her birthday party after all.”
I laughed, then placed Angel back in the box with the other kittens. She meowed loudly, attempting to climb out, but her claws would not sink into the thick plastic. Feeling a little guilty, I reached down to scratch her ears, making Alex chuckle.
“She’s already winning you over,” he whispered.
“Shut up.”
After heading home to change, we made our way downtown to the well-loved Italian diner. Melanie had reserved the party room and invited everyone from work and a few other friends, including Bri, though after a quick glance around, I didn’t see my sister yet. William and his wife were there, as were James and Grace.
Mel’s eyes went wide when she saw Alex, and she rushed over to give him a hug. “I am so glad to see you! Last I heard Vaughn had scared you off!”
I frowned while Alex cleared his throat. “No, that was just a misunderstanding.” He reached for my hand and tugged me to his side. “I’m not going anywhere, though.”
“Well,good.You two are a match made in heaven as far as I’m concerned. Come, meet my husband, Lee, and our daughter, Sophia.”
We followed and took a seat across from them. Within a couple of minutes, Bri joined us, giving both me and Alex a hug. Alex still wasn’t used to people giving him affection, but I could tell both times the women pulled him in, he’d appreciated it. His hand joined with mine under the table, and when our eyes met, I saw something I hadn’t seen in Alex before.Peace.
He looked around the room at each of the faces before coming back to me, a smile tugging on his lips. I understood what he was trying to say. For the first time since his dad had passed away all those years ago, Alex felt not only like he belonged but that he had a family again. Because he did.
I squeezed his hand hard and leaned in to kiss him. “Love you,” I whispered.
“Love you more.”
