Zoe drove in silence after hitting the send button. Alex didn’t respond. By the time she made it to the park, the sun was setting. She noticed the silhouettes of trees as she took a stroll. By the time she made it to the bridge, she clutched her cell. Still no word.
Her muscles twitched. Should she call him? No. Zoe stuffed her phone inside her pocket. He would come.
“You waiting for me?”
Pivoting, she saw Alex. She couldn’t hold back her squeal, which only made them run to each other. Alex caressed her back, holding her to his chest.
He whispered in her hair. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“About the interview—”
“I have something to tell you first.”
“Okay.”
“I um... saw my ex.”
Alex didn’t respond.
Zoe continued. “He’s a motivational speaker. I saw him on stage encourage hundreds of people from a wheelchair.” She shrugged. “I honestly thought I ruined his life. I didn’t... I didn’t want to ruin yours. It wasn’t just your past, I had some baggage too I needed to work through.”
“You feel better?”
Zoe rubbed his shoulders. “Much better.”
She focused her eyes on him. Raising his hand, he cupped her cheek, trailing his fingers along her jawline.
She said, “Now, about this interview…”
“You have no idea how beautiful you are,” he said.
She blinked. “Alex, I…”
He drew closer, and her knees weakened at the smell of his cologne. Alex kissed the space behind her ear. Zoe’s breath caught. She couldn’t think with his gentle touches.
“Alex?”
“Yes.” He brushed her lips with his.
“You’re distracting me and I’m trying to have a heartfelt conversation. About the interview—”
“I love you.”
Her chest swelled. He did mean it.
“It wasn’t a slip up if that’s what you thought. I love you, Zoe Mills.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I think I’ve loved you the first time I saw you. I don’t care where you’ve been or what you’ve done. You’re the woman I’m in love with. That’ll never change.”
She hugged his neck tight. Alex didn’t let go. He loved her the way she was. Her past didn’t matter to him, and his didn’t matter to her. They were here now.
“I love you too,” she said in his ear.
Alex pulled back to face her. He never lost his grip on her waist. “You do? Really?”
She giggled, shaking her head at him. “Really? We’re playing this game now?”
“I don’t think it’s asking too much since you gave me the run around,” he said.