“So you just walked in and she was here?” Aiden has grabbed himself a beer from the fridge and is sitting at the counter next to Devon. “Wasn’t that a little weird? Did you think maybe she’s a stalker, and she broke in?”
“Not even for a second, bro,” I say. “But I joked about it when we walked in, just because she was so concerned about it at the meet and greet. I’m not sure she thought it was funny. She was a little shocked to see us though, so that could have been it too.”
“Did you confirm with Denise? I mean, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that she could have broken in here and is just pretending to be a chef.” That’s Aiden for you, always looking at the worst-case scenario.
“That doesn’t even make sense dude.” Devon answers him. “She has the keys and the alarm codes. Plus, how would she have even known we were hiring a chef, or that one was expected to be coming today?”
“Yeah, I suppose that’s true.” Aiden admits.
“But I confirmed it with Denise anyway, more to marvel at how she hired the exact person Connor has been searching for than to make sure she wasn’t a crazy stalker.” Devon says. “So you can rest easy.”
Travis and Johnny have been sitting over at the table this whole time, talking quietly to each other. They seem to be debating something when Alex and Ryder come back inside. I’m glad Alex missed the whole stalker conversation. Joking about it is one thing, but Aiden having actual concerns might have upset her. I want everything to go smoothly until we get the chance to have a serious talk about where we can go with this. It might seem like I’m moving fast, but it’s like I’ve been waiting my entire life for her to come back into it. I can’t lose her again. The first time broke my heart, I know another time would break me altogether.
“So Alex,” It’s Travis who starts talking first, “Are you working yet or are we ordering takeout again? Either way is fine with me, I just want to know how long it’s going to be because I’m starving.”
“I’m technically not working until Monday,” Alex answers while walking into the main part of the kitchen. “But Connor and I decided I would make lasagna tonight instead of ordering takeout. We thought about ordering that pizza you guys had last night, but Tino still thinks that Connor is a sketchy fuck so it might be safer if I just make dinner here.” She looks at me when she calls me a sketchy fuck, and then she and Devon both burst out laughing.
“Someone thinks you’re a sketchy fuck?” Aiden asks. “Do I want to know why?”
“It may have something to do with my methods of trying to track down Alex earlier today?” I mumble just a little. “I’m not sure I can go back to that side of town anytime soon.”
Now it’s everyone else’s turn to laugh. Fuckers. They were in on it when we planned to look around the neighbourhood. Shit, it was pretty much Travis’ idea. They were with me the first night when we drove around looking for her place, just hoping we’d get lucky and see her somewhere. If one of us is a sketchy fuck, then we all are. At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.
“It turns out that I wouldn’t have even had to go to all that trouble, anyway. You know that gym that I go to? It seems that Mike, the old guy I’ve been training with for the last 18 years, is Alex’s grandfather. And he’s hinted at setting me up with her in the past.” I’m attempting to distract them from the stalking and get their attention back to the amazing coincidences involved in bringing Alex back into my life. “So I could have had you with me for the last 18 years, babe.” I move closer to Alex and pull her into a hug. I know I probably shouldn’t be so touchy with her yet, but I just can’t stay away. I love how her body feels against mine.
“Yeah.” Alex pulls away from the hug. She seems a little uncomfortable, so I let her go without making it a thing. “Let’s get started on this dinner. If you’re in my kitchen, you help. Anyone who’s not good with that can fuck off right now. I will call you when it’s ready if you’re going to do something else.”
“I’m going to do some work in the studio.” Even though I’d be more than happy to help, I don’t want to crowd her. It’s been a day full of surprises for both of us. “I’ve been working on a song for a bit and I think I finally have a handle on some lyrics. You guys coming?”
The other guys all get up at once, except for Ryder and Devon.
“Not that I’m afraid of helping you, Alex,” Travis lies. He hates cooking. And he’s terrible at it. “But I really need to keep an eye on Connor in the studio. I have a feeling he’s bursting with the desire to write love songs tonight, for some strange reason.” He laughs and takes off, running down the hall toward the studio.
“I’m sure something’s going to be bursting with desire later tonight.” Johnny wiggles his eyebrows and throws Alex an exaggerated wink before turning to follow Travis.
“Do you see what I have to put up with around here?” Aiden sighs heavily. “It looks like you and I are going to be the only adults around here Alex. Welcome to the crew.” He grabs a beer before going after the others.
Ryder comes over to me and pushes me out of the kitchen. “We’ll take care of her, bro.” He says, before giving me a little shove and whispering, “You’re crowding her a bit. Give her some time.”
I take one more look at her before going to the studio, too. I know it’s best to give her some time, but my body just wants to be right beside her. This lasagna can’t cook fast enough.
Chapter 36
Alex - I’d Like to Call a Friend
“Are you doing alright?” Devon looks at me with concern in his eyes. “It feels like a lot has happened in this one day. Did you get the chance to talk to Becca yet?”
“Not yet.” I’m rolling sheets of pasta through my pasta machine. “I didn’t think I was supposed to mention anything to her until she’s been cleared?”
“I think you’ll be ok to talk with your best friend,” Ryder says to me while he stirs our sauce. He’s actually a decent helper in the kitchen. I expected him to be a lot less domestic. “I don’t think she’s going to be running to the tabloids to sell us out or anything.”
“You should call her,” Devon tells me as he combines the ricotta cheese with eggs for the middle layer. I like to keep lasagna pretty simple, especially when I’m feeding a bunch of guys. Ryder has the meat sauce and will grate the cheese, Devon has the ricotta layer, and I’m making the noodles. “You look like you need a little girl time, no offense.”
“None taken. It has been a very surprising day. I need to talk to someone who’s on my side. No matter how nice you guys are being to me, I know you’re Connor’s friends first.”
“Hey now, you offered to be an ear for me, so that makes me your friend, too. Truthfully, those guys are always telling me to fuck off, so maybe I’m deciding to beyourfriend first.” Ryder gives my shoulder a little bump. He’s smiling at me, so I can’t really tell if he’s serious or not. I mean, I have heard them tell him to fuck off a lot but…
“Thanks, Ryder, I’ll keep that in mind for next time. I think in this particular situation, though, I need some girl talk. With a girl.” I grab the lasagna pans from the cupboard and gesture for Ryder to bring me the sauce and cheese. Devon sees what we’re doing and brings me the ricotta layer as well.
