Page 66 of Alexander: Alexander's Story

“Sorry. About that.” Alex finds me in the pantry, looking like I’m hiding.

“It wasn’t a huge deal.” I swallow the guilt and finally grab the bag of granola off the shelf.

“Think you’re still up for our hike?” I smile tightly and nod. It’ll be the perfect distraction.Or the perfect opportunity to ruminate on seeing him again.

“Yeah, definitely.”

Today, we’re hiking to the ridge, my first time since being back. The burning in my limbs feels good. The cool air is refreshing, and Ifeelgood.

Except when my mind drifts to him.

I’ll never see him again.I can’t stop the thought from recurring.

He cametoday, of all days — my birthday. I wonder if it’s a coincidence. Has to be.

We’re just cresting the final turn when Alex stops me, pulling out a blindfold.

“You’re kidding me,” I laugh. I’ve been here before. It’s not like the view was going to be a surprise.

“Humor me,” he says, stepping forward to tie the black fabric behind my head. Once it’s secure, he tips my chin up and places a peck on my lips that I savor.

He grabs my hand, then leads me slowly up the last climb, stopping several times to guide me around a fallen tree or rock.

He positions me, turning my body to face a certain direction, then loops around to undo the blindfold.

When the black fabric drops, I see it. A vintage Airstream is parked in a now-clear area. I look at Alex with a smile.

“What’s this?”

“A birthday present.” He smirks. “A cozy little house in the forest.” And my heart melts.

“But how? How did you even get it here?” I ask with astonishment, my heart warming at the thought of how much trouble it would have been to even get it here.

“Magic…and also we cleared a makeshift road.” He points behind himself where the trees have been removed, just enough to form a narrow road. “It’s only a 1/8th of a mile from the highway if you head west. But I plan to replant the trees, so it’ll be like a hidden hideaway. Just for us.” It really is like a secret clubhouse. Tiny, tucked away, with the exception of the gorgeous view.

I can imagine, after a full day of hiking, stopping here to retire for the night. With soft pillows and a fluffy comforter, nestled in warm and snug. It would be a dream.

“Go inside,” he nudges me.

I go up the trailer steps, but before I open the door, I ask, “You own this land, right?”

He laughs, “Yes. We do.”

I open the door to a modern, amenity-filled space. There’s an electric fireplace built in, a leather-covered sofa, and a small kitchen. There’s a shower and bath at one end and a large bed on the other. It’s perfect.

I turn around and throw my arms around him, hugging him tight.

“Do you like it?”

I nod as he wraps his arms around me. I do really like it, just…something feels off. I don’t know if it’s him or me. I want to rewind to this morning, in the shower, when I’d been head over heels in love. I want him telling me,“Happy birthday, baby,”as he fucks me against our shower wall.

“You okay?” He pulls back to ask. My tears well, and I shrug.

“This is…you’ve done the most, and I feel bad that I don’t have anything to give to you.” It’s not untrue; it’s just not the whole truth.

“Well, it’s not my birthday, Em,” he says, laughing at me. I smile. He’s so sweet to think of all this, to go through all the trouble. It’s beyond, and I’m a terrible person for standing here, still thinking abouthim.Hiseyes.Histouch.

“I was thinking, if you want, we could cancel dinner with Brit and hang out here, maybe spend the night?” he asks, wrapping an arm around my waist.