Page 81 of Ink & Ambition

“You should know your sister well enough by now to know she’s not down for late nights, peepants,” Danika says, the disdain seeping out of her voice.

“I can take you home if you want, Margot,” Alex says. “So the rest of you guys can keep the party going.”

Danika and Sydney both nod their heads reassuringly and I trust that Arden will take care of them. Not that I really want to spend any extra time with Alex at the moment, the thought of pajamas and a cup of hot chocolate sounds heavenly to me right now.

“See you guys at home,” I say, purposefully avoiding Alex’s hand as he outstretches it toward me to guide me toward the door.

When we finally enter the fresh air, I am able to take a deep breath. The bar reeked of stale beer and hot dogs so being out in the open has helped clear my head a bit. Alex and I start walking in the direction of my apartment without saying a word. After a block of silence, he finally speaks.

“I saw you leave your building tonight.” I look over to see his eyes facing forward, not wanting to meet mine. “I went to your apartment to see if you’d talk to me but I saw you leaving with him. And I was jealous.”

I stare ahead, just as he does, letting him speak. “I was jealous of you being with another man. I didn’t like that feeling at all.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you have nothing to worry about, then,” I mutter.

“Don’t I, though?” Alex stops walking and I stop beside him as we turn to face each other. “What about Ryan?”

“WhataboutRyan? Clearly I choseyouover Ryan.”

Alex runs his hands through his hair in exasperation.

“Why are you trying to start a fight with me right now?”

He sighs, “I don’t know.” Alex is quiet for a few moments before he speaks again. “I talked to Kai. He told me what I’m assuming Ryan told you.”

“Is he okay?” I ask, continuing to walk toward home as we keep walking.

Alex nods. “He’s in some trouble, but we’re gonna figure it out. Anyway, I don’t like how easy it was for something like that to get between us.”

“Us?” I ask. “Is there anus, Alex?”

“I’d like there to be.” And there it was. The most honest thing he’s ever said to me. If I stood my ground, I’d have him go home and wait for my call. If I had more guts, I’d send him packing for good.

Instead, I find myself saying the words I’ve never said to a boy.

“Do you want to come inside?”

Chapter Thirty-Two

Margot

Ikickmyshoesonto the rack as the door closes behind us. Shrugging off my coat, I flip on the switch to turn on the overhead light and then hook the coat up. Gesturing toward the open hook, I motion for Alex to hang his things, too. Above us, the light flickers as usual.

“Make yourself at home,” I say, walking into the kitchen to grab two water bottles. Alex follows me and starts rummaging through the cabinets under the sink. “Um, it’s just an expression.”

Alex chuckles, pulling out a white box from underneath and heading back toward the entryway.

“What are you doing?”

Alex walks back over toward the doorway. “Changing your lightbulb.”

Without the use of a ladder or even a step stool, Alex reaches up and unscrews the light fixture from the ceiling. He hands the top to me as I stand bewildered underneath him.

“I can see that. Why are you doing it?”

“Because it flickers.”

“Alex.”

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