Chapter 7 #2
As we walk, the conversation flows easily, shifting from his day at work—good, busy, but his assistant is excited about taking more work so Alec can come to my shifts at Blissful Brews with me—to my much less eventful day off, which involved a walk along the trails and several hours playing Tenebris Veil with a few of my guildmates.
Enzo’s house is within sight when Alec says, “So. Would you want to show me your game sometime? I watched some videos online, but it’s not the same as seeing someone play in person.”
Hope blossoms inside me again. “Would you really want to?”
Alec glances down at me. “Haze. What did I tell you? I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want to.”
Right.
I hug his arm a little tighter. “I’d really like that. In fact, if you wanted to bring over your laptop, we could install the game and I could give you a little tour. Just the easy zones, since you’d be low level, but it could be fun.”
“That sounds great.” Alec switches off the flashlight once we reach the porch steps. “Maybe tomorrow after we get back from your shift, we could play your game instead of watching a movie.”
Warmth blossoms inside me. “I’d really like that.”
I didn’t miss how he said he’d spend tomorrow evening with me like it’s a given.
Almost like a date. Except it’s not.
Just as we’re approaching the front door, it swings open. In a contradiction to the solemn greeting Enzo gave the first time I came here, he smiles broadly at us. “Hey, guys. You made it.”
Alec lifts his chin at him. “We decided to walk over instead of taking the truck.” His expression jolts as he gives Enzo a second look. In a slightly aghast tone, Alec asks, “What are you wearing?”
Enzo glances down at his sweater, which is black with orange jack-o'-lanterns all over it. It’s actually pretty cute, and I could see myself wearing it for Halloween. But on Enzo? It’s a little unexpected. “This?” He laughs. “I lost a bet with Winter.”
Alec chuckles. “And how many times is that? I seem to recall an interesting shirt you wore on Christmas Eve. And bunny ears for Easter?”
“Never make a bet against your wife,” Enzo replies, not looking upset about it in the least. “She’ll always win. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Aww.
A pang of longing plucks at my heart.
I’d like that. A man who’d gladly wear a silly sweater because he lost a bet. A man who’d look happy about it.
I glance at Alec, noting his thoughtful expression.
Alec would do it. And he’d look really handsome in one of those ridiculous Christmas sweaters with all the sequins and bells all over it. He wouldn’t be embarrassed. He’s much too confident for that.
An image jumps to mind of me and Alec spending Christmas together, possibly wearing matching ugly Christmas sweaters, sitting beside the tree while we listen to holiday music and sharing kisses between gifts.
Kisses?
Oh, boy.
It was a lot easier to ignore my attraction to Alec when I didn’t see him all the time.
“Come on in,” Enzo says. He steps aside so we can walk through the door. “Everyone’s here except Gage and Rory. A new dog arrived today, so they wanted to make sure he was settled in before leaving.”
“That reminds me,” Alec says. “If you still want to help with the dogs, Haze, I can bring you over there. I’m free on Saturday, if you’d like to go.”
Enzo’s eyebrows shoot up. “Haze?”
Red touches Alec’s cheeks. “It’s a nickname, Enzo. Maybe you’ve heard of them?”
“Of course.” Enzo reaches for my fleece as I’m taking it off. “Nothing wrong with nicknames.”
But I don’t miss the look he exchanges with Alec. Or the little smirk he gives him.
Alec touches my back, resting his hand there. “Do you want something to drink first? Or would you like to sit down?”
“I’m good for now,” I reply. “But Alec, how can I go to the shelter? Wouldn’t it be dangerous for the dogs? And Rory and Gage?”
Alec’s hand moves to the back of my neck, rubbing gently. “Not at all. You can’t see it, but the security at Gage and Rory’s place is just as good as it is here. So you can go over to play with the dogs without worrying.” He pauses. “Probably no walking the dogs around the property, though.”
“That’s okay.” Another burst of happiness chases away more lingering anxiety. “I love playing with the dogs. And helping train the new ones. That would be perfect if you—” I stop myself. “Nevermind.”
Alec smiles. “Right. I want to bring you there.”
“Alec. Hazel. Come sit with us.” Lark waves us over to the couch where she and Knox are sitting. As we approach, she nudges Knox to move over, but he just whispers something in her ear and stays put.
“There’s plenty of room,” Knox says. He catches Alec’s gaze. “Alec doesn’t mind a tight fit, does he?”
Alec narrows his eyes at Knox. “Of course not. But Hazel might.”
I eyeball the empty space on the couch. It’s big enough for the two of us, but only just. Which means we’ll have to sit squished up against each other, so close I’ll be able to feel his muscular thighs and the furnace-like heat of his body.
Which… actually sounds pretty good to me.
“I’m fine with it,” I reply. “If you are, Alec?”
“I’m fine.” Alec waits for me to sit, then squeezes onto the cushion beside me. My skin sizzles with electricity as his body presses against mine.
Lark turns to me. “How are you doing, Hazel? Have you settled into the cabin yet?”
“I have.” To Knox, I add, “The cabin is amazing. I can’t believe you built it.”
Knox smiles at me. “I’m glad you like it. That cabin is the same one Lark stayed in when she was here, actually.” He loops his arm around Lark and kisses her cheek. “Despite the situation, we made some good memories there, didn’t we?”
Lark gazes at Knox, her love for him a visible thing. “We did.”
Longing sweeps through me again. What would it be like to make memories with Alec at the cabin? Make it feel more like a true getaway than a hideout?
Alec drapes his arm across the back of the couch. His hand brushes my shoulder. He glances at me and says, “We can get some pumpkins for the porch if you’d like. A ghost like Winter has for a decoration. There’s a garden store in Stowe that sells that kind of stuff. I could stop there tomorrow.”
Oh.
My heart melts into a puddle of mush.
I’m about to tell him it’s not necessary, but I stop myself.
He wants to.
He wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t.
And another thought, even brighter and more hopeful than the rest.
Maybe I’m not the only one who feels something more.