Page 1 of Alex

Prologue

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, MIAMI

The night skywas so clear Alex thought he could see all the way to the moon. Each tiny sparkling star shone so brightly he thought if he reached out with his fingertips, he could touch them. He watched as Evelyn traced the big dipper in the air and sighed as her body relaxed into his. This right here was the perfect moment.

The night was chilly as Evelyn cuddled deeper into Alex’s chest. Her pliant warmth was soft against his hard body. The feeling of rightness and calm he felt whenever she was in his arms ever present. At eighteen, Alex knew precisely what he wanted. His life was planned out and he wanted every dream he had to be shared with his best friend.

Evelyn and Alex had met when he was seven and she was six. Their parents had become friends when Alex’s parents fled Cuba and settled in the same neighbourhood in Miami. His seven-year-old-self took one look at Evelyn, the stars aligned, and something had clicked into place. They had been inseparable, getting into scrapes together, having adventures together. Both had other friends too. Alex loved to play ball with the boys, and she would go shopping with her girlfriends, but it always came back to the two of them.

Over time their relationship had evolved from an innocent friendship into something more, something deeper. He loved Evelyn with every bone in his body and he always felt like he could breathe easier when she was with him. At eighteen he knew some thought their love would never last, but he knew his heart. This was more than love. It was two souls always destined to be together. He knew he had loved Evelyn before, and he knew he would love her always.

He was hers and she was his. It was that simple.

“Do you believe in reincarnation?” she asked as he reached for her hand to pull it against him.

He felt her body move as he raised his head and looked down at her. Evelyn tilted her head back to catch his eyes. He loved Evelyn’s eyes. They told every emotion, the nuance of colour changing with how she felt. He couldn’t see them now in the dark, but he didn’t need to see them. He could read her. See the tilt of her lips as he gazed at her.

“Nena, what are you talking about?” he asked with affection as he stroked her cheek with his thumb making her shiver. Alex brushed off the delicious feelings her shiver evoked and waited for her to answer him.

“You know. Reincarnation. Do you believe we come back in another body over and over?” she asked as she pushed off his chest and looked down at him as he lounged back on the grass of the river bank where they spent all their free time together. It was their place, their haven from the outside world.

Alex tucked his arm behind his head as he studied her, giving her question real thought before he answered. Evelyn rested her torso against his belly, leaning her chin on his chest as she waited.

“Yes, nena. I do. There is no way I can express how much I love you in one lifetime,” he answered, and he felt her melt into him as her body became heavier at his words.

“Alex.” His name was a whisper, intense with emotion.

He sat up then and pulled her closer until she was sitting between his long legs. She went readily settling against him, his arms cocooning her with his love.

“Mi nena.”

She lifted her head at the urgency in his voice. “Yes?” she replied threading her hands around his middle.

He pulled back and she had to reluctantly let go. “You know I love you. You are my world. My life and my best friend. Remember how we talked about me going to college in Europe to work under one of the Michelin Starred Chefs one day?”

“Yes, of course I remember.”

He could hear the wariness in her voice and gripped her tighter almost crushing her but never hurting her. “I got a letter this morning. I’ve been accepted into Le Cordon Bleu in Paris,” he said excitement tinging his voice.

“Oh my God. You did? Oh, Alex. I’m so happy for you and so proud of you. This is what you always wanted.”

“It is,” he said slowly and looked away with unease.

“So, what’s wrong?” He could hear a caution in her voice he had never heard before.

“How can I go? You don’t finish school for another year, and I can’t go without you.”

“But you must.”

Alex let out a breath as he felt her unease leave her. He hated the thought of being apart as much as she did, but it would only be a year and then she could follow him he reasoned.

“Alex, you have to. It’s only a year and I’ll follow you. You can set up a place for us to live while I apply for art schools in the area.”

“I won’t be able to afford a lot, but I have some money saved for us,” he said into her neck as he held her.

She felt his breath warm on her skin and settled into him. “I don’t care if it’s one room with a toilet as long as we are together.”

“I am going to give you the world,” he vowed, and he meant it. He would but all he wanted was her.

“All I want is to be with you until my dying breath.” The seriousness of her words belied her age.

“That won’t be until we are both very old and grey, nena. I have lots I want to do with you and to you before we die,” he said with a smile in his voice.

“Yeah? Tell me more.”

Alex could hear her delight at his teasing. Evelyn was his soul mate. He didn’t need years with her to know that. He didn’t care everyone thought they were just kids and it wouldn’t last. They knew this was it and nobody would ever understand what they shared.

“Well, I want to cook you your favourite food while you paint a masterpiece. Then I will strip you down and make love to you amidst the paintings and brushes.” His lips found her pulse and bit down gently. Her body came alive beneath him as sensation shot through her.

“Sounds a little messy,” she said and giggled.

She felt his deep chuckle vibrate up her body making her squirm with desire against him. “Yeah, mi nena, scared of a little mess?” he challenged as his lips brushed hers.

“I’m never scared of anything when I’m with you, Alex.”

He could see the honesty in her eyes as they lost themselves in a kiss.