Page 47

stassi

It had been the longest week of my entire life. I spent most of the time waiting for our date, and work seemed to drag and fly by at the same time.

Monday:

Alex: Hey, how was work?

Me: Busy. How was your press interview?

Alex: Same questions.

Alex: Missed you.

Wednesday:

Alex: Counting down the hours.

Me: Until?

Alex: I see you.

Friday:

Alex: I miss you.

Damien was playing with his Legos, the colorful pieces scattered all over the living room floor.

Each click and clack of the connecting bricks echoed in the room.

I glanced at him, his little brow furrowed in concentration, and it brought a smile to my face.

The nervousness about tonight was eating me up inside.

As I sat there, my phone buzzed again. Another text from Alex.

Alex: What are you wearing?

Before I replied, Alina walked into the room. She took one look at me, clearly noticing my flustered state, and smiled knowingly.

“Getting ready for tonight?”

“Yeah, I'm a bit nervous.” I lied.

I was so anxious. I had worked all morning, and by the time I picked up Damien after work, I had considered texting Alex to cancel our date at least a hundred times. Other than when I was pregnant, I had never been out with him alone. Plus, I hated not knowing the plan.

Over the years, my injuries and past made me controlling.

I overcompensated for the loss of control by demanding detailed plans from my doctors and knowing every side effect of my meds.

I always needed to know exactly where and when we were meeting, ensuring I had enough time to get Damien and myself ready while accounting for any pain flare-ups that might cause delays.

This was new territory for me, and I knew that if I texted Alex for details, he’d give them willingly, but he was so excited to surprise me.

“You’ll be fine. What are you wearing, and what’re you packing?”

I motioned for her to follow me into my bedroom, where my clothes were scattered everywhere, along with an open overnight bag. I’d already packed for Damien earlier this week, so he was set to stay at Ledger’s.

“I’m not sure yet. I was thinking about that blue dress.” I hesitated. “Then I was thinking maybe I should pack this?” I held up a blue lingerie piece that my mother, of all people, had picked out for me and sent me from back home.

“Oh.” Alina’s eyes widened. “But you said you were saving that until you slept with someone who deserved to see it...” Putting the pieces together, she hesitated for a moment, then ran up to me and grabbed my wrists. “You’ve slept with him, haven’t you?”

My face flushed, and she squeaked in excitement. “Oh. My. God. Tell me everything. How was it?” Alina laughed, throwing herself on the bed. “I bet he’s got a big schlong.”

I paused, then burst into laughter, quickly covering my mouth to stifle the chuckle. “He was so big. I was honestly shocked.” I couldn’t believe I just said that. “But it was really good. He was really understanding.”

She sat up. “I’m so proud of you.” She grabbed the lingerie. “Weird your mom sent this to you?—”

“She wanted me to start dating again. My mom means well in life, but she goes about things in such strange ways.”

“Like sending you lingerie to go get your kitty wet.”

“Ew. When you say it like that,” I laughed. “But yes, exactly.”

I threw the piece of lingerie in the overnight bag along with several pairs of underwear. I grabbed pajamas, a pair of sweats and jeans, and a T-shirt for tomorrow. Thankfully tomorrow was my day off, so I didn’t need to worry about work.

“I still don’t know what to wear tonight.” I looked at the clothes strewn on the bed.

Alina hopped off the bed. “What did Alex say the dress code was?”

“He said it’s casual, but nice,” I replied, biting my lip. “Why?”

“Then why not wear that denim dress you made? It’s cute and unique, plus it fits the dress code,” she suggested.

“But I made it,” I huffed.

“Yeah, exactly why you should wear it.”

I pulled out the denim dress, crafted from recycled jeans. I’d come a long way since I first started sewing, and for a moment, the memory of making Alex that shirt in his living room made me laugh.

“I think I’ll go with this one.” Putting back the denim dress, I grabbed another one from the rack. “This one is new.”

Alina shook her head, swatting the dress out of my hands. “No. I’m serious. Wear this one.”

I looked at the denim dress, remembering how proud I was when I made it. It hugged my curves, had cute bows on the shoulders, and hit me about mid-thigh.

“He was the one who sent you all that fabric. I’m sure he’d like to see how you work with it...” Alina quirked a brow and shrugged.

“Okay. I’ll wear it,” I said, feeling confident in my decision while picking up the denim dress.

She gave me a reassuring hug before heading back out, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Tonight would be special—I had to keep reminding myself of that. With a quick glance at Damien in the living room, still absorbed in his Legos, I turned back to my room to start getting ready.

“Your dress.” Alex’s eyes sparkled the moment they met mine. “You made that.” He reached out and trailed a finger along the fabric. “It’s beautiful,” he murmured as I stood there awkwardly in the foyer of his apartment.

“Is Ledger here?” Damien asked, running into the room. “Mom says you guys got the good pizza again. She told me I had to stop eating it all this week because Ledger would be giving it to me when he babysat.”

Alex dropped to his haunches and gave Damien a tight squeeze. “He’s at his apartment. Did you bring Bear?”

Damien nodded.

“Phew. He said you’re going to have a sleepover there if you’re okay with it. You can also tell him you want to stay at my house if that makes you feel better.”

“Does he have a bucket of popcorn for our movie, too?” the curly-haired boy asked, and Alex nodded.

The entire interaction made me pause for a moment.

It seemed so normal, so effortless, like they had done this a million times before.

A warm sensation spread through me, mingling with a tinge of sadness.

This is what I’d been missing—the ease of us being together.

I had spent so long trying to shield Damien and myself from disappointment and heartbreak that I forgot what it felt like to have someone else share the load, to see my son light up with pure joy in the company of someone who genuinely cared.

“Let’s go.” Alex stood back up, giving Damien a pat on his hair before grabbing his backpack.

I looked him up and down, shamelessly staring at him.

He was wearing a black button-down with a pair of dark jeans.

His long hair was styled back, and stubble peppered his jaw.

His broad shoulders looked even more impressive in the fitted shirt, making him look like he belonged on the football field tonight.

“Hey,” I said shyly, unsure of what had come over me. I swallowed. “You look good, too.”

The corners of his lips lifted into a smirk before he grabbed my waist, pulling me in tight and giving me a kiss on the cheek. My heart fluttered at the warmth of his touch.

“I cannot wait to spoil you tonight.”