20. Chelsi #2
The waiter clears his throat, making us aware of his presence along with our dinner. I’m not sure how long he’s been standing there, but I anticipate it’s been a couple of minutes if he thought it was necessary to interrupt our conversation.
“Your entrées are ready,” the server announces before placing our steaks on the table. His colleague tops off our water, then they both disappear, leaving us in silence except for the soft music playing in the background.
As much as I want to finish asking my earlier question and hear his answer, the moment seems lost. I don’t want to fish for a compliment or insinuate he might feel something toward me when he doesn’t. Instead, I decided to go with the safe route and ask about work.
“Are you looking forward to heading out on tour?”
“Yes and no. If you can’t tell or haven’t heard, I’m a creature of habit.”
I chuckle, a little louder than I should, but I never thought I’d hear Alex joke about himself.
“Go on, take a minute to laugh at my obsessive, schedule-oriented nature.” He cuts off a piece of his steak and takes a bite.
“I’m not sure who loves spreadsheets more. You, Kate, or Max,” I tease, smiling so hard my face hurts. “The minute-by-minute planning the three of you seem to love sounds like absolute torture to me.”
“Haha. Good one.” He rolls his eyes dramatically as he grins at me. “I’ve always craved structure. My years in the military strengthened my need for it. So, while I don’t necessarily love being away from home multiple nights a week, I’m ready to get back to a consistent schedule.”
“I don’t know how you can handle being away from home so much. First, the military, and now being on tour for multiple months a year. Do you ever get to see your family?”
Alex tenses, his jaw muscles flexing like I’ve hit a nerve. “It’s rare for me to go back to my hometown.” He swallows hard and takes a drink of water. “Have you given much thought to where you might live if you decide to stay in Nashville long-term?”
I shake my head. “I can’t crash at Jake and Kate’s house forever, no matter how much they insist it’s okay.
There are only so many times you can hear your best friend having sex before it becomes weird.
Plus, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at their kitchen the same way after what I almost walked in on the other night. ”
Alex starts choking on his water, hitting his chest to try and clear it out.
“Are you okay?” I ask, a combination of concern and amusement in my voice.
“Yep. Just didn’t expect to hear about my boss’s sex life at dinner.”
I flash him a megawatt grin. “You’re welcome.”
We spend the next hour chatting about the areas of Nashville where I could eventually live.
Surprisingly, Alex can quickly rattle off the most detailed descriptions of each one and pulls up pictures on his phone to show me.
This softer side of him isn’t something I expected.
I’m baffled that the neighborhood I’m most drawn to is exactly where he hopes to own a home one day.
Never in my life did I expect this highly structured and rigid man to love the characteristics of historic homes like I do.
The conversation flows effortlessly between us, like talking to each other is part of our DNA. It’s both refreshing and unsettling. Why am I vibing so well with someone who is the complete opposite of me? Someone who likes structure and schedules, whereas I prefer organized chaos and spontaneity.
Maybe we’re meant to be friends. Have a platonic relationship, where we can be each other’s sounding board.
Send random texts to one another. Meet up for the occasional dinner and drinks.
Nothing more. I could always use another friend, especially one who isn’t married.
No shade to Kate, but I’m well aware Jake is her priority.
“Ready to head home?” Alex asks, the words flowing naturally out of his mouth like he’s been saying them to me for years. Like he might say them to me forever.
That’s when I feel the ice around my heart beginning to crack. Not the earthshattering kind, but just enough to remind me that I’m still capable of letting someone in. That, as much as I want to believe I’ve closed myself off from a romantic relationship forever, it isn’t the truth.
I nod, breathless and unable to utter a single word. I don’t trust what might come out of my mouth if I try to speak. What I might say. There’s a hurricane of emotions whipping through me that I don’t fully comprehend.
As we walk through the restaurant, his hand accidentally brushes against mine, sending an electric shock up my arm and down my spine.
“My truck’s this way,” he says, pointing to a parking lot across the street from the restaurant.
It’s early spring, but there’s a chill in the air, thanks to the breeze. I shiver slightly until he touches my lower back as he guides me toward his truck. It’s the simplest of actions, yet it sends my body temperature skyrocketing and my heart racing.
There has to be some explanation for why my body reacts this way around him. Why I react this way.
When we reach his truck, he walks me around to the passenger side and opens the door, offering his hand like a gentleman. The three-and-a-half-inch heels and mini dress I’m wearing weren’t meant to climb into a truck.
I place my hand in his as butterflies take flight in my stomach. Flittering about so rapidly, I almost lose my balance and end up leaning into him.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he says as he braces my weight, moving his free hand to my lower back.
Although I can’t explain it, I believe him. He isn’t the type of man who would ever let you down. He’s one you can trust with your life. Maybe even your heart and soul.
And I’m beginning to wonder if letting my guard down with him might end up being worth it in the end.