Page 68 of Wild Tangled Hearts

His words hang in the air, and I can't help but feel a wave of emotions surge within me. It's moments like these that make it so hard to deny the attraction I feel, the connection that seems to deepen with each passing day. As I gaze into his hazel eyes, I wonder if he's sensing the same magnetic pull between us, the unspoken longing that hangs in the air whenever we're together.

"Plus," he adds with a mischievous glint, "I may have an ulterior motive."

I lift a brow, intrigued, and sip my coffee. "And what's that?"

"My sister is flying in from Denver tomorrow. I thought you might like to meet her. We could go to the Gallery and then have dinner after."

My heart flutters at the thought of meeting his family. "Okay.”

His smile widens. “Great.”

As we make plans, my mind flashes back to all the cute texts we've exchanged, the late-night movie marathons with endless popcorn, and our short hikes in the woods. It's been a whirlwind of fun and laughter, and I can't deny that I want more.

I've seen that he's trustworthy and genuinely caring, and I believe he's moved on from his ex. There's something between us that's undeniable, a connection that's grown stronger with each passing day. And at this moment, as we plan to meet his sister, I hope that our friendship evolves into something more.

“So,” I fidget with my coffee cup, not meeting his eyes. “Do all your friends meet your family?”

Alex reaches across the table, his warm hand enveloping mine. His touch is electrifying, his calloused fingers rough against my skin, sending a wave of heat racing up my arm. I can't help but feel a rush of desire and connection in that simple gesture, a physical manifestation of the unspoken longing building between us.

“You know that I want more, Bella," he says, his voice soft but filled with sincerity. "But I won’t push it.”

I release a shaky sigh, realizing that my irrational fear has only kept me from taking the leap.

We finish our coffee, lost in thought, our fingers intertwined, completely breaking thejust friendsrule. But I don’t care. Eventually, we leave the cozy coffee shop and step out into the cool evening air. Alex offers to walk me home, and I gladly accept.

As we walk hand in hand, our fingers interlaced, I can't help but feel a tinge of excitement mingled with uncertainty.

Alex glances at me with a playful grin. "This might be the first time I've walked a friend home while holding hands."

I chuckle. "Well, I guess there's a first time for everything, right?"

He tightens his grip on my hand. "Absolutely. Who says friends can't be a little...hand-holdy?"

I playfully roll my eyes. "Hand-holdy? Is that even a word?"

Alex shrugs, feigning innocence. "It is now. I just made it up."

I steal a sideways glance at him. "So, Mr. Hand-Holdy, what's your next move in this master plan?"

He pretends to ponder, tapping his chin with his free hand. "Well, I was thinking that maybe you might want to invite me in."

“Oh really? And then what?”

“Well, you still owe me that painting lesson you promised on our first date.”

I chuckle. “You want to paint?”

“I want to do anything that means I get to spend more time with you.”

Butterflies flutter in my chest. “How about you come in, and I’ll order take-out, and we can watch a movie.”

Alex raises an eyebrow, pretending to ponder the offer. "Hmm, painting lesson or takeout and a movie? Tough choice."

I playfully nudge him. "Come on, it's a win-win situation."

He laughs, shaking his head. "Alright, you've convinced me."

As we approach my doorstep, I stop and turn to face him, our hands still entwined. "Alex, I want you to know that I'm willing to give this a chance, whatever 'this' is."

---