Kelli’s jaw drops open, her eyes going wide. “Are you…are you flippin’ serious?”
“Yeah. I am.” I nod and pull on the other shoe, then stand. I tower over Kelli and she’s pretty average height so I feel like an amazon woman. “But please don’t tell anyone.”
“I won’t,” she says immediately, and I know I can trust her. “Both of your parents are in prison? Is that why you stay here during break?”
“I have nowhere else to go.” I shrug.
“Wow, crazy,” she murmurs, almost to herself. “Have you told Tristan yet?”
Here’s where it gets sticky. I don’t want her mad at me for keeping this from him. Grabbing the small Chanel evening purse I snagged from my mom’s collection before we were kicked out of our house, I toss my phone inside then snap it shut. “It just hasn’t come up yet,” I tell the ground.
“Huh,” Kelli says. I turn to face her. She’s watching me like I’m bat shit crazy. “I’ll allow that, I guess. I mean, it’s not like you can just drop a bomb like your parents are in freaking jail so casually.” Her words practically drip with sarcasm.
“I’m sorry.” I go to her and pull her into a quick hug. I don’t want her to muss up my dress, my hair, my makeup, none of it. “I know I just threw that at you like no big deal and I’m sure you have lots of questions. I can answer them tomorrow. Or over the next few days.” My mental load suddenly feels lighter and I’m kind of glad I told her. Now if I can just work up the nerve to tell Tristan about my past and get that over with…
“You’ve been keeping secrets, Alexandria Asher.” She smiles gently and wags her finger at me. “I expect a full explanation soon.”
“And I’ll give it to you. I promise.” I kiss her cheek, leaving a pink lipstick smear on her skin. I wipe it away with my thumb. “Thank you. For everything.” For helping me. For accepting me and expecting nothing in return.
I can’t say that to her, no matter how badly the words are ready to tumble off the tip of my tongue. She’d think I was weird. But she’s the first person who’s ever accepted me so easily and never wanted anything in return as some sort of payback. My old so-called friends used me for their own gain. There was nothing real or genuine about any of it.
But with Jade and Lucy, Shep and Gabe, sweet Steven and the annoying Conrad, the never-around Jeff and even Felisha—they’ve all become my friends. Real friends who want to spend time with me versus trying to gain something by being my friend. They’ve drawn me into their fold and we’ve created new folds, all driven by me.
And of course, then there’s Tristan. The man I’m falling for.
The man I’m in love with.
Not that I’ve told him. I’m not crazy. I drop the L word on him and he’ll freak. I need to ease into this gently. Carefully.
Oh, so carefully…
“Alex!” Conrad suddenly yells and I know that’s my cue to go. To face my man, let him take me by the arm and lead me to his car, in which he’ll whisk me away to a fun holiday party, where he can show me off and I’ll show him off, secure in knowing that he belongs to me. Nothing can hold me back tonight.
I’m determined to have a good time.
My mouth goes dry at first sight of her. Holy hell, I thought Alexandria was sexy as fuck in her angel costume when I first met her at the Halloween party
But the woman facing me tonight wearing a black dress with the shortest skirt I’ve ever seen and the highest black heels that look more like torture devices, I know I’ve never seen her look hotter.
Or more beautiful.
Her tentative smile reveals she’s nervous. I drink in her face—artfully applied cosmetics that only enhances her features, her hair falling in sexy waves around her face and past her shoulders. Taking her hand, I pull her in close, kissing her cheek and murmuring, “Are you trying to kill me?”
She withdraws from me, her smile growing bigger. Though it’s still tinged with nervousness. “You like?”
“I fucking love,” I say enthusiastically. “I hope I clean up as nice as you.”
“You clean up amazingly nice.” She steps back so she can take me all in. I hold my arms out. I’m wearing black trousers and a silvery-gray button down shirt, but no tie. I draw the line at a goddamn tie. “You look gorgeous.”
I reach for her, my arms going around her waist, ready to kiss off all that dark pink lipstick she’s wearing…
“You two are fucking disgusting,” Conrad calls from the living room, making us both laugh, easing the sudden tension. I’m nervous about going to this stupid party, though I don’t know why. I think Alexandria’s nervous too.
“You ready?” I ask her quietly.
She nods and I take her arm, leading her out of the house and toward my car. The cold air bites into my exposed skin, making me shiver and I hustle her pretty ass down the sidewalk, practically shoving her into the passenger seat before I go round the car and climb into the driver’s side.
“It’s freezing,” she says as I start the car, then lean over to crank up the heat.
“Turn on the seat warmer,” I remind her and she does, then reaches over and turns mine on too.
Always taking care of me. Watching out for me. Who knew that was a benefit to a relationship? I guess I should’ve known. It’s a natural assumption for most. But the main relationship I witnessed growing up was more like two people living side by side—not actually with each other. My parents just went through the motions. I never saw an ounce of affection between them. Ever.
But every little thing Alexandria does for me, whether it’s bringing me a glass of water or tucking a blanket around me when I complain I’m cold, is because she cares.
She cares about me.
My parents care because they have to—it’s an obligation. My family and friends barely tolerate me. I knew it too, so I purposely drove them crazy, almost like I dared them to stick around even though I’m a pain in the ass.
Not Alexandria. She cares about me because she wants to, because for some insane reason, she likes me. Wants to spend time with me and take care of me and kiss me and hug me and lets me touch her whenever I want. She’s shown me true friendship and true intimacy, something I didn’t think could exist, especially together.
With my angel, I have both. I’m a lucky man.
So why do I always feel like I’m on the verge of saying or doing the wrong thing and ruining what we have?
Shaking my head, I tell myself to focus on the here and now. I’ve got her in my car, she’s my date for this lame holiday party and we’re going to have a good time, damn it.
She talks about her workday as I drive us to the hotel where the party’s being held. She’d wanted the day off but her boss asked her to come in for a few hours in the morning since they’re been so busy with the holiday rush. Being the nice girl Alex is, she did.
I’m not paying close attention to what she’s saying. More like I’m entranced with the lilting sound of her voice. It’s soft at times, goes higher when she gets excited, a little lower when she’s irritated. She describes the usual mix of annoying customers, sweet old ladies and lots of random shoppers in search of the perfect Christmas gift.