“Did you need something?” Alex tried to give me a smile, but it was faint, and there was something different about her. She didn’t have that glow, the liveliness about her. It was dead. I was sure I was the reason it was gone.

“No, I came by to ask you a question.” That was such a stupid thing to say but seeing her after all these weeks, my tongue was twisted.

“I’ll be right back.” I heard Lexy say with the sound of the door closing. I didn’t bother to look. My eyes were deadlocked on Alex. I didn’t even want to blink. I was so afraid she would disappear.

“So, what’s your question?” Her tone was a bit cold.

“Why didn’t you text me back?” I ask softly.

Alex shifted her eyes to the dining table. That’s when I saw not just her phone, but a wrapped package with my name on it. “Is this mine?”

“No,” she snapped, reaching for it, but I was faster.

“Can I open it?” I held it like it was the most precious thing,

“No. It’s not for you. It’s…it’s…for my other friend,” she stuttered.

“Alex. We’ve been roommates for the past five months. I know your likes and dislikes. You slept in my bed. We shared the same bathroom. I’ve seen you practically naked. I’ve heard your beautiful voice. We shared milk and cookies. I know when you’re not telling me the truth.” With each word, I took another step toward her as she took another step back, until there was nowhere to go. “So don’t lie to me because I can read you.”

Alex gulped as her back hit the wall. “It’s just a stupid gift. You probably already have it.” She tried to make it sound like it was no big deal, but when you go out of your way to buy something for someone, it means you were thinking of them. And knowing Alex was thinking of me during the Christmas holidays tugged at my heart.

When I unwrapped the gift, it was a ‘Grease One and Two’ DVD set. That put a huge smile on my face. She was the only person that knew how much I liked them. I had never told anyone else. “I don’t have these. Thank you.”

That put just a hint of a smile on her face.

“Maybe we can watch them together?” I asked. She didn’t answer so I asked her another question. “You broke up with Liam?”

Alex blinked her eyes. “You knew?”

“Of course I do. I’ve been waiting a long time for you to leave that bastard so I could make my move.”

She looked at me disconcertedly.

“Don’t tell me you had no clue?” I turned my head to the side as I trapped her with my hands planted on either side of her waist.

“But…but….”

“Clara?”

She nodded, trying to look anywhere but at me. “You love her. I know you do. You have her name tattooed over your heart.” Her eyes started to tear.

“I think it’s time I showed you my tattoo.” I took off my jacket, then my sweater. “I won’t lie to you. I did get a tattoo of her name, but when I saw whom she really was, I had the letter A altered and added the letters…T and Y. I changed the word to Clarity.”

Alex’s eyes grew in wonderment. When she traced the word with her fingertip, I shivered from the contact. Her simple touch always made me feel electrified. It sparked through my body, making me crave her even more.

“Why? What does it mean to you?”

“It’s everything I want in my life,” I started to say after I pulled back my sweater over my head. “I don’t need material things. Ever since I lost my family, that is all I ever wanted back, to have a home, a family. All I wanted was clarity in my life. Something that made sense, something that I could hold onto, someone I could love without a doubt and be my home. Alex, you’re my clarity. You. Are. My. Home.”

Tears streamed down her face, but I knew she still needed more convincing. I could see the uncertainty in her eyes. What was it? Then it came to me.

“Clara’s not pregnant with my child.” I framed her face with my hands and smeared her tears away with my thumbs. “She was my past and I’d like to keep it that way. As for you, I’d like you to be my future. Alex, I’m going to shape up and be the man you deserve. I’ve stopped smoking, and I promise no more racing. I want you more than the things that may kill me. I’ve missed you. Please come back home with me.” I paused. “I know we’re doing this all backwards, but who cares.” I nuzzled the tip of my nose to hers. “Freckles, please be my roommate again so we can start dating.”

I thought Alex was going to faint. Seeing her knees bent, she was sliding down the wall. I caught her before she touched the ground, and held her tightly in my arms. Oh, how I missed her body molding perfectly into mine, her scent filling my nose, and her hair on my face. “Alex,” I whispered. My heart pounded against my chest, afraid of the possible rejection. “Say something.”

Chapter 33

Alexandria

I couldn’t believe the beautiful words coming from Elijah. I was utterly speechless. Never imaging this scenario as a possibility, I was in shock. Minutes ago, I thought Clara was pregnant with Elijah’s baby and there was no chance of us ever being together. I had no idea he had all these feelings for me. “Am I dreaming?” I asked softly.

Elijah’s body shook with mine when he chuckled. “No, but I can make your dreams come true if you’ll let me.” He released me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “Let me in, Alex. I swear I’ll make it up to you every day. Let me be the one who gets to say you’re mine, the one who gets to take care of you, the one who gets to take your sadness away and replace it with happy memories. Let me be the one who gets to hold you at night and tuck you into bed. I want to be with you.”