Page 59 of The Longest Wait

“Because you showed up demanding I cook and promising sex.Pizza was my fastest option,” she explained with a grin. “I actuallylove to cook, it’s soothing to me. I haven’t had the chance to showyou because you normally make something before I can.”

They sat in companionable silence while eating. Sofia stretchednext to him. “I could get used to this.”

Alex put his fork down. “Is that so?”

Sofia stuffed her face with another bite and nodded.

“Then let’s tell our friends the truth about us.”

She wasn’t ready for this. Avoidance was no longer in hercorner and she was already naked, so boobs wouldn’t sway him.She opted for humor. “That’s there’s no Santa?”

Alex cocked his head to the side, not impressed with her jokes.“You know damn well what I’m talking about.”

“It’s too soon!”

“How the hell is it too soon? This is ten years in the making.”

“It’s been just over a month!” she yelled at him, feeling as ifher walls were caving in.

“Which is a month too fucking long!” he shouted back.

Sofia marched out of the kitchen and went to her bedroom,Alex followed. “Sofia, I’m sorry I yelled. But I’m not sorry I don’twant to keep this a secret.”

Sofia grabbed his clothes and shoved them at him. “It’s fine.”

Alex grabbed her arm. “It’s fine? Please don’t try that bullshitwith me. I know you. I know when you’re mad. Talk to me.”

“I need more time. Can you respect that?”

Alex dropped her arm. “I’m trying, Sofia.”

She gave a tight smile. “That’s all I’m asking for. I have a million things to do on Lucy’s website, so I think you should go.”

Sofia hustled Alex out the door and, once he was gone, sheflopped on her couch, letting out a deep breath. She was so in lovewith Alex, it overwhelmed her. She was scared he didn’t feel thesame way. That he would leave her again. It didn’t matter ten yearshad passed, somehow, the wound still felt fresh.

ALEX GOT BACK to his apartment and his anger only intensified. What the fuck was going on? She was happy, she said soherself. Why the fuck did she need to keep their relationship asecret? He pulled on his workout shorts and sneakers to go to thegym. He had to keep busy or he was going to go insane wonderingwhat the hell was going on between them.

He was on the treadmill trying to think of anything but Sofiaand her bullshit excuse for him to leave her apartment. He hadhis damn career to figure out, but right now, Sofia invaded everythought. Which made him realize there was no way in hell he wasgiving up on them. Not when he knew she was it for him. If sheneeded time, he would respect that. How hard could it be?

Chapter 19

PER SIBLING TRADITION, Alex called Lucy. Ever since hewent away to college, it was a promise he upheld to her. Theircalls, when he traveled, always made his day better. It was all aboutputting life in perspective.

“It’s kind of pathetic you want to keep up with our monthlycalls now that you live near me again. We catch up weekly,” Lucytold him jokingly.

“Catch twenty-two because you answer these pathetic calls,”Alex pointed out to her.

She was always quick with a witty remark. “I bought youthat book.”

“Such a one-upper. What’s new?” Alex was ready to learn whatwas going on in Lucy’s life because she exaggerated about seeingeach other weekly. Both of their schedules were chaotic, and it feltlike even though he lived in the same city, he still didn’t see her asmuch as expected.

“I love owning my own business. I’m swamped ever sincesoccer season started, and I’m finishing up another assignmentwith a client in Texas. This project is nice because it is more on myschedule. I just need to fly out to Plano at some point.”

Damn, he was proud of his little sister.

The Longest Wait

“I actually plan to be in Texas soon.” If he stayed at National