Page 99 of Collide

“Let him in.” My voice is low, defeated but resolute. “I need answers.”

Riley shoots me a worried glance but nods. She lingers in the doorway a moment longer before pressing my phone gently into my hand.

“Text me if you need me, okay?” she whispers, her eyes flicking to Alex with a look that’s both pissed and starstruck.

I nod silently, grateful, watching as she slips out and closes the door behind her.

The room feels like it shrinks when he steps in, but he doesn’t come too close. His usual calm, collected mask has cracked, replaced with something raw and vulnerable.

His eyes, darker than I’ve ever seen them, search my face like he’s looking for a lifeline.

“Elena,” he pleads again, softer this time. “Please. Let me explain.”

I lift a hand, stopping him, trying to hold myself together. My breath shakes as I draw it in.

“Explainwhatexactly?” I ask, my voice cold but trembling. “Explain how youconvenientlyforgot to mention that you’re some famous actor? Is that why you were so evasive about what you did for work? Because—news flash, Alex—omittingthe truth is stilllying.”

He doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t even try, as I barrel on.

“Or maybe you’d rather explain how you’redatingyour co-star while doing—whateverthisis—with me? Where would you like to start?”

My throat burns, and I hate that my voice cracks on that last word.

He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “When you didn’t recognize me, it was arelief. For once, someone saw me asme. JustAlex. NotAlexander Westerberg, the actor.”

There’s real sadness in his eyes now, but I push it away, forcing myself to stay strong.

“I didn’t plan for this,” he goes on quietly. “At first, yeah, I was attracted to you—how could I not be? You’re beautiful, Elena. But then, there was more. A chance for somethingreal—and I didn’t want to ruin it by telling you everything too soon. I wanted to feel normal with you.”

Compliments will get him nowhere. I cross my arms tightly, though I feel my resolve falter slightly.

He steps closer, eyes searching mine. “You can’t tell me you don’t feel it, too. Thechemistry, the pull. You make me want to show you the world. Ruin you. Make you mine.” His voice drops, eyes darkening, filled with something deeper than lust—something almost like longing.

But I won’t let him sweep me away with those words.

“And Madison?” I say sharply, holding his gaze.

He swallows. “We were…something, I guess. But we were never exclusive. And the key word iswere. I ended things before I met you.”

A small part of me exhales in relief, knowing I hadn’t unknowingly stepped into someone else’s relationship.

“And the nameSigurdsson?” I ask, my voice softer, curious despite myself.

His lips slump into a sad smile. “My mother’s maiden name. I use it for privacy—hotels, restaurants. It’s an alias.”

It makes sense. But still.

He takes a step closer, and I don’t move.

“You have to know, Elena. I never meant to deceive you.” His voice breaks slightly. “I…I wanted to protect what we had. What we could have had. Dating in this industry—it’s brutal. You rarely meet people who see past the fame. People who don’t want you, only what you can give them. And with you…” His words trail off as his eyes search mine, pleading.

For the first time, I seehim—not the man on a poster, not the charming guy who swept me off my feet—but the man who, despite everything, is standing here, vulnerable and alone.

And my heart aches.

BecauseGod, I care for him.

I think about that first date, the way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room, the way he held me like I was something precious.