Except, there’s no erasing his confession.
It settles in a deep cavern inside my heart.
Later at night,we both finish scarfing down the homemade pizza that Alexander made from scratch with all my favorite toppings, including the most controversial, pineapple.
Fuck what anyone says, I freaking love it.
“Whose place is this, Alex?” I ask, licking the remnants of ketchup off my thumb.
“Mine.”
“Really?” I arch a brow at him. “I thought you didn’t like to splurge. ‘A waste of money’ is what I believe you said.”
“Do you like it?” he counters, putting my feet in his lap and rubbing my calves distractingly.
After exploring it this evening, I can wholeheartedly say I adore it, from the location to the furniture. It’s spacious without being too extravagant. “It’s lovely. It’s not your taste, though.”
“Is that right?”
“Mhmm.”
His eyes sparkle with mischief. “What would make it my taste?”
“A fireplace, for starters.” My tone is confident. “You love to sit in front of it during the winter. Reading the newspaper late at night or with a glass of whiskey.”
“What else?”
“A backyard to host barbeques. A bigger shoe rack at the entrance to keep your collection neat and organized. A dark-colored rug because you love to walk barefoot inside the house. A big screen television in front of the couch to watch football. Warm tones.”
I blush furiously as he pins me with an intense expression, realizing I went on a spiel. Way to show him how much of a stalker I was when I crushed on him. Clearing my throat, I shrug. “Or perhaps your taste has changed.”
“They haven’t.”
I swallow, my skin heating up as I fight the urge to squirm. He goes to pull out the rug from beneath me.
“You’re right that I don’t like to splurge because I’d rather save money for a rainy day.” His voice deepens as he says, “You’re also right that it’s the opposite of my taste… for now.”
My heart hammers double time. “Then why buy this house?”
“I was driving down this highway when I saw it. Something about the house called to me. When I saw the for-sale sign, I pulled over and came to check it out. One glance and I knew it was made for you. So, I bought it.”
For me… us… I hear the unsaid words.
I made him break his rule.
It wasn’t just this week. I’ve made him go against his nature from the start. I just didn’t know.
Yet again, my brain nags at me that I’m missing an important piece of the puzzle. Why would he purchase this place if he knew we weren’t going to end up together? Unless…
“When, Alex?” My voice is hoarse. “When did you come here?”
“Five years ago.”
The year I began dating Matt. Did Alexander buy it before or after I became his son’s girlfriend? Because the former would mean…
“I was going to ask you out, Molly,” he finishes my thought.
Agony ripples inside my stomach, stabbing me over and over. “Y-you’re lying.”
