Page 108 of Save Your Breath

I’d also put it right back on when I was done.

I loved that ring. I loved the words he’d said when he’d given it to me.

“Don’t,” Aleks said when I started to slip it off my finger. He held my gaze when I paused, questioning him. “I… I just don’t want you to forget it here.”

Right.

My shoulders slumped, disappointment simmering in my gut. As I dove into my food again, I internally scoffed at myself. I had no reason to be upset.

Story of my life lately.

Aleks made his own plate before taking a seat next to me. We ate in silence, jazz as our background music, interrupted intermittently by a particularly strong gust of wind. A few glances at the TV let me know that the hurricane was movingslowly through the Gulf, the worst of it expected to hit in the middle of the night.

“Looks like it’s going to hit farther north,” Aleks mused, stacking my bowl on top of his with his eyes on the television. He rounded the island to the sink, rinsing the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.

“You think?”

“Seems to be trending that way.”

I sighed, hopping down from my barstool and making my way over to the couch. I plopped down, crossing my legs under me and burrowing into one of the blankets Aleks had. It was soft and heavy, a bit weighted if I had to guess, and absolutely massive — likely so it was big enough to cover the behemoth of a man who owned it.

“I’m a terrible person.”

“Because you didn’t thank me for feeding you?”

I glared at him. “Because I’m happy the storm is swinging north. Maybe that means I’ll get out of here.” I paused, picking at my nail polish. Sometimes I wished I could have long nails, stiletto or almond shaped, maybe. But I couldn’t play guitar with nails like that. “And thanks for feeding me,” I added softly.

Aleks chuckled, finishing up where he was cleaning in the kitchen. “You’re welcome. And you’re not terrible for not wanting something you’ve dreamed about forever to be canceled. But you also don’t have to worry about it. It’ll all be okay.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

I flattened my lips, folding my arms as I glared at him when he sat down on the opposite end of the couch. “You’re literally never positive. You always grump about how life is meaningless. So don’t try to play Mr. Sunshine now that I have something to be upset about.”

Aleks arched one brow high into his hairline before barking out a laugh. “You are so prickly tonight.”

“I’m not prickly!”

I huffed the words, which made him laugh harder, which in turn mademescream into the heavy, fluffy blanket before I threw it off me and stood.

“Whatever. I’m going to sulk alone in peace.”

Aleks was thoroughly enjoying himself, struggling to catch his breath between chuckles as I marched past him. Just as I was about to leave, he reached out, his large, calloused hand curling around my wrist.

“Wait,” he said, still fighting off laughter, and with a gentle tug, he drew me closer. “Come here.”

“What?” I stumbled a little, my heart skipping as he slid his hands to my hips.

He turned me toward the television, giving me another soft pull.

“Sit.”

“No, I’m going to bed.”

“Sitdown, woman.”

I tilted my chin, crossing my arms in defiance. I was ready to tell him that he could get fucked trying to order me around like that, but then he stood behind me, his hands moving up to rub my shoulders.