Chapter 20 Spend the Night
I froze.
Then he loosened his grip slowly as if he had realized how he sounded.
“I mean… it’s dark and I don’t want you driving back alone this late,” he quickly said.
“Oh…” I muttered.
I turned to look at the road behind me, then looked back at him.
I wanted to say no, but I suddenly felt the fear I didn’t feel when I set out for his place.
“You can’t say no… I won’t let you drive back home this late,” he said.
I hesitated for a moment, then I agreed.
He ushered me into his living room and gave me water to drink.
After that, he walked into his room and came back with one of his shirts.
“You can change into this,” he said as he handed the shirt to me.
“What you are wearing won’t be comfortable to sleep in,” he added, now staring at the wall.
“Thank you,” I said as I collected it.
“You can sleep in my room… I will use the guest room,” he said, stepping back.
“No, I will use the guest room. I’m the guest here,” countered.
“I insist you sleep in my room,” he muttered.
Then I nodded slowly, clutching the shirt tightly to my chest as I reluctantly walked towards his room.
ALEX HART’S POV
I didn’t know who I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting to see Joan at my door.
I was surprised when I opened the door, but I tried as much as possible not to let that show.
She stood there, looking restless like she had lost something so precious to her.
“I just came to check on you…” she said quickly with an explanation as if she was trying to justify being there.
“I’m fine,” I replied even though it wasn’t true.
“Okay… I’m glad,” she said softly and turned to leave.
Then I held her hands, not because of anything else, but because it was already dark and I couldn’t let her drive away like that.
“Do you want to sleep over?” I asked in a low tone.
Then I realized she could misread what I said coupled with the touch. I didn’t intend to sound like that.
I could see her eyes widen even though she tried not to let it show.
“That came out wrong,” I wanted to say, but held myself back.
Then I released my grip slowly.
“It’s dark and I don’t want you driving back this late,” I explained myself before she would read a different meaning to that.
After a few minutes of hesitation, she agreed to sleep over.
I welcomed her into my living room and gestured to her to sit.
I didn’t know what to give her… I didn’t even have anything in the house to give her, so I offered her water.
Then I went into my room, came back, and handed her one of my shirts to change into.
Just as she walked into my room and locked the door, I sank down heavily onto the chair.
“Wow,” I muttered, still amazed.
I stood back up and reluctantly walked to the guest room.
I contemplated whether to check on her before I sleep or not.
“I shouldn’t,” I concluded.
I jumped on the bed and closed my eyes, already knowing sleep wouldn’t come easily with Joan in the next room.
JOAN COLE’S POV
I woke up the following morning strangely feeling good.
I sat up in bed and sniffed the shirt I was putting on.
“Hmm… smells good… undeniably Alex’s,” I moaned.
Then I stood up quietly and stepped out of the room.
Alex was already awake. He sat at the dining table with a mug in his hand and another mug on the other end of the table.
“Good morning,” we said at the same time.
“I didn’t want to disturb your sleep,” he said.
“It’s fine,” I replied, knotting the tip of the shirt with my fingers.
Then we both went silent.
“I will… um… get changed,” I muttered, breaking the silence.
“I made coffee, do you want some?” he asked, pointing to the other mug at the other end of the table.
“Um…” I whispered and sighed.
“Okay,” I added, pulling out a chair to sit.
He reached for the mug and handed it to me without our fingers touching. I noticed that he avoided making contact with me, and I hated that I noticed.
We both stared into our cups silently as if they had answers to our questions.
I broke the silence again.
“You are not opting out of the project right?” I asked, my gaze fixed on him as I hoped that he would give me the answer I wanted to hear.
“Huh… opt out… Why will I?” he said, confusion clear on his face.
I heaved a sigh of relief and sipped my coffee.
“Why did you ask?”
“You left work early yesterday and you didn’t pick up my calls. I was just… worried,” I said, avoiding contact with his eyes.
“I’m fine… I just needed some time off work,” he smiled.
“I didn't know you cared about me that much?” he teased.
“Don’t be silly,” I muttered.
It was the first time I saw him smile after we met at that park.
That smile made my heart flutter, so I quickly stood up before I said anything crazy.
“I should go… I need to get ready for work,” I said, pointing a finger in the direction of the room.
“Right,” he nodded.
“Of course.”
I changed quickly, thanked him, and left.
I rushed home, praying that I shouldn’t meet Theo or Joan in the living room.
“Please, don’t be awake,” I mumbled, my hands tightening around the steering wheel.
When I got home, I walked inside as quietly as possible, my toes barely touching the floor.
Then I looked up.
Alas, Lena and Theo were both staring at me. They both folded their arms, their eyes wide open as if they had been waiting for that moment.
“Oh, my God! What will I say?”