Page 68 of Tell Me Everything
No matter how many hours I spent in this house, I never felt at ease when Lexi was around. Yet she'd known me since I was born. Something about her presence always made me want to look down. When I was alone, she always seemed happier to see me than when I was with Alex.
“Good.”
Lexi sat opposite me, watching me in silence. This was getting uncomfortable. “Can I ask you something?”
I tried to hold her gaze, but it was hard. Anxiety gnawed at my inner peace. I shook my head and swallowed. Oh God, what had I done now?
“You and Alex can do what you want, you're old enough. But don't shock my youngest daughter.”
Oh no.My cheeks flushed. This was a misunderstanding, and I wanted to put things right. I didn't want my future mother-in-law to think I was spending my time at her place just to sleep with her son. Sure, we'd kissed, but that was all it had been.
“It's not what you think. We haven't...”
Lexi raised an eyebrow as she waited for me to finish my sentence.
I cleared my throat and resumed, “It's a misunderstanding. We haven't done anything. We kissed, but we don't intend to go further than that. Alex and I talked about it.”
Alex had just confessed his feelings. With both our pasts, taking our time was the right thing to do. We were both insecure, and we both had trouble accepting someone else's affection. I wanted us to build a relationship full of trust and patience. Yes, sure, I also wanted amazing sex. I was just a girl with hormones, like everyone else. But that would have to wait a little longer. The first thing I had to do was pick up the pieces of my life and move on so I could get better.
“I'm just going to ask you not to get his hopes up, okay? Alex often acts aloof, but his heart is fragile.”
Sensing where she was going, I nodded and decided to be transparent. After all, she was my future mother-in-law, even if she did intimidate me at times.
“I know about his past.”
Her face paled. “He told you?”
I nodded again. Alex's mom ran her hands through her hair,her breathing heavy. I couldn't imagine how she must have felt about what had happened to him. “What do you think? Alex never wanted anyone to know. I'm surprised he decided to tell you.”
“It doesn't change anything for me. Alex is still Alex, and I love him the way he is.”
When she started crying, I wondered if I'd said something wrong. Lexi hugged me hard. I returned the embrace, feeling emotional too. For the first time in months, it felt like she was finally accepting me. Not for the little Elena of years ago, but for me.
“Take care of my son, okay?”
“What did you do to my mom?” Alex entered the kitchen with a suspicious look on his face.
His mom placed a kiss on my forehead. She winked at me, and the atmosphere in the kitchen became lighter again.
“Nothing. Just girl talk.”
Chapter 25
Elena
Just as Nina and I were leaving the biology classroom, I spotted Alex waiting for us outside. He was strangely nervous, jumping from one foot to the other, his fingers drumming on his arms. His brown hair was even more dishevelled than usual, like he'd run his fingers through it countless times.
“Do you have any plans for tonight?” he asked casually.
“No.”
Nina gave me a wry smile before hurrying off down the hall. Did she know something I didn't?
“Then now you do.”
“Why’s that?”
“Let's go on a date.”
