Elijah

Seeing Alex without a smile made me feel guilty, but why was I feeling this way? If she had a fight with her boyfriend again, that was not my problem. She shouldn’t be with someone who made her that miserable. When she said she wasn’t staying here too long, it gave me a little jolt to my heart. I hoped she didn’t mean she was planning to move out. Then again, if she did, maybe it would be good to give us some distance, but I felt bad that she felt like she had to. Maybe I should consider moving out instead.

When she mentioned Clara’s name, my heart took a leap. She had been calling me, and I knew the reason why. It was always the same. Go out with a loser. He breaks her heart, and she comes running back to me. I wasn’t going to play her game anymore. I only hoped she didn’t say anything to Alex, like telling her I had cheated on her when it wasn’t true. Clara used that excuse to leave me for another rich guy, but as usual, she came back to me when he dumped her. Enough was enough.

Alex and Emma went out. I didn’t ask where they were going. I assumed they were going out to dinner since it was around that time. I hated to admit it, but I missed Alex’s cooking and the leftovers she would save for me. Though she never admitted it, I knew she cooked extra just for me, and that touched my heart deeply. I had to remain strong. She was still seeing someone else. To me, that was an indication she didn’t want to let him go. After all, they had a history together and he’d been there for her through her father’s death. At least I could give him credit for that. I just hope I could make it through Thanksgiving dinner.

Chapter 28

Alexandria

Emma blasted her iPad and music filled the air. Cooking the turkey with Emma reminded me of the days when my dad was still alive. Every other year, I got to spend Thanksgiving Day with my dad, and when I did, Emma would come over just to help me bake the turkey. Everything else I could handle.

Elijah either went for a run or to the gym, I didn’t know which, but I knew he had gone to work out since he came through the door all sweaty. Emma’s jaw dropped and she was practically drooling. She almost dropped the turkey.

“Emma,” I snapped. She broke out of her trance and stuck the prepped turkey into the oven.

“I can’t help it. I don’t blame Liam for asking you to move out. Regardless, I’m so happy you’re going to break it off with him. But holy crap, Alex. How do you sleep at night, knowing that hottie is sleeping in the other room?”

I rolled my eyes. I’ve heard that question way too many times. “He’s just a guy, not a god,” I stated and started to cut the potatoes.

Emma closed the oven, turned on the timer, and stuck her head in the fridge.

“Everything we need is right here,” I reminded.

“I know. I need to cool down.”

“Seriously? Shut up.” I tugged her out.

“I’m just playing around. I’ve missed you so much. I missed those days when we used to talk about boys and sneak out to parties. You know your father knew you were sneaking out, right?”

“What are you talking about?” I dumped the potatoes in the pot, placed the pot on the stove, and set it to boil.

“I didn’t tell you so you wouldn’t feel nervous about doing it. I saw him peek out the window several times.”

“He did?” I started to peel the onions while Emma trimmed the beans.

“Yeah. Your dad was cool like that. He understood. We came home at a decent hour, which was probably one of the reasons why he didn’t say anything to you.”

“Yeah, he was the best,” I agreed and started to tear up. For a change, it wasn’t from what Emma had said; it was from cutting the onions. The aroma shot through my nostrils and burned my eyes. I had no choice but to shut them and let the tears pour out.

“Alex, you should have let me cut the onions. I forgot how cutting onions affects your eyes.”

Emma shoved the napkin in my hand. I wiped the tears and headed to the bathroom with my eyes still shut. Just as I took a step out of the kitchen, I bumped into something hard.

“Alex, are you alright?” Elijah asked. I had my hands pressed against my eyes as he took hold of my arms. His tone was sweet and sounded genuinely concerned. He cleaned up real fast.

“It’s the onion,” I sniffed, still unable to open my eyes. “It stings. I’ve never had it this bad before.”

Elijah led me to the bathroom and told me to bend over the sink. He splashed cool water on my face. After hearing the sound of the cabinet being opened and closed, I heard the water running again. Then, he placed a cool towel over my eyes.

“Does it feel better?” He could be so sweet when he wanted to be and that calmed my anger toward him.

“I’m okay.” The burning sensation lingered somewhat, but it was much better. Trying to adjust my vision, I blinked several times. “Thanks.”

“Freckles, are you winking at me?” He cracked a joke and my heart stung when he called me Freckles, but he made me smile. That was unexpected.

“Did you need something from the kitchen?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Looks like both of you were having so much fun in there, I thought I’d help.”

I couldn’t believe how he was warming up to me as if nothing ever happened between us. Maybe this was the best way to move forward. I had to try to get everything back the way it was because I missed this. I missed our friendship, the talks, and the closeness between us.

I missed HIM.