Chapter 40 Sweet reunion
“What?” The word slipped from Lucas’s lips before he could stop it. He stared at Alex, genuinely confused. A hug? Were they really that close? Or was he reading far too much into this?
His heart betrayed him instantly, slamming hard against his ribs as he imagined… the image that stood a few feet away from him. His tall frame, those striking green eyes, and his arms pulling him close. Heat rushed to his face.
“Get a grip on yourself, Lucas. He is your boss, and you need this job. Besides, you're not gay.”
Lucas cautioned himself as he straightened, forcing his feet to stay rooted as their eyes locked with each other. The moment stretched, charged, and seemed uncomfortably intimate. His breath hitched again.
“Oh dear goodness, help me control myself,” he prayed silently, finally tearing his eyes away, lashes dropping as shyness crept in.
Alex caught it. Every bit of it.
A small, knowing smile curved his lips. “Do you remember bumping into someone at the Mayor’s birthday party?” he asked casually. “That was me.”
Lucas’s head snapped back up. “Oh—oh, I’m so sorry.” His voice rushed out with the apology. “That’s why you looked a bit familiar, but—”
“But you didn’t stop to really look at my face,” Alex cut in gently. “So I figured you wouldn’t remember.” He paused, then added, "However, that wasn’t the only time.”
Lucas frowned slightly, curiosity creeping in as he waited for the revelation.
“There were two other meetings,” Alex continued. “One was later that same night at Club Unite.”
“Club Unite? I can't remember meeting you there.” Lucas said a bit confused.
Alex chuckled, “Yes, I know you didn't remember that. Let’s leave that for later. But then…” He slowed, his voice dropping just a notch. “The most important one was years ago.” He stopped talking.
Their eyes locked again, and this time, heavier, loaded with something unspoken, something that seemed to be there for a long time.
Alex held his gaze, steady and unreadable, as if waiting for recognition to finally click. Then he stepped closer, deliberately closing the space between them until the air felt tight, electric. His heart raced, but Lucas’s was worse. His heart slammed violently against his ribs, loud enough that he swore Alex could hear it. The feeling was too big, too sudden, too familiar to name.
“Do you still have your good luck charm?” Alex asked softly, a gentle smile tugging at his lips. “The one your grandma gave you?”
Lucas’s breath hitched for an unknown time. Instinctively, his hand flew to his chest, fingers curling around the pendant beneath his shirt, crushing it like it might disappear if he let go.
“Y-yes… but how do you—”
“I still have mine too,” Alex cut in, voice warm, almost reverent. “The one you gave me.”
He unbuttoned his shirt just enough to pull the pendant free. It caught Lucas’s eye as it rested against Alex’s chest.
Lucas froze. His eyes locked on it—then slowly lifted to Alex’s face. The world tilted. Sound drained away as memory came rushing back in sharp, blinding flashes: antiseptic air, white walls, whispered prayers, fear lodged deep in his throat.
“Oh my goodness…” he breathed, barely audible. His voice shook. “Is this really you? From Magdalene Hospital?” He searched Alex’s face desperately. “It’s really you. I can't believe this.”
Alex nodded, emotion thick in his eyes, unable to trust his voice.
Lucas lifted his hand, fingers trembling as he touched the pendant, then let out a broken, disbelieving laugh. A smile spread across his face, wide and stunned.
“It’s really you. You looked so different back then, there were beards, and you were not this... Oh my… You changed a lot.” His eyes roamed Alex’s face in admiration. I'm so overwhelmed. You’re looking so… so—”
“So handsome?” Alex teased, trying to keep it light, though his chest felt like it might burst out of joy.
Lucas scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. “Handsome is an understatement.” His smile softened, eyes shining. “I can’t believe this. I truly thought I would never see you again. I didn’t even get your name.” His voice dropped, heavy with memory. “I came back the next day, but they told me you had been discharged. I was so worried. I kept praying you would survive… that you would be okay.”
His words faltered, emotion clogging his throat. “I’m so—”
Lucas’s eyes glittered with unshed tears as he rambled on, words tumbling over each other in a rush of relief and longing…until Alex lifted a finger and gently pressed it to his lips.
Silence fell between them, heavy but tender. Their eyes locked, a thousand unspoken things passing in that single breath.
“Lucas,” Alex murmured, voice thick, “I missed you too—more than I can even put into words.” He didn’t wait for a response. He pulled Lucas into a warm, grounding hug, arms firm, protective, and seemed familiar.
Lucas melted into it instantly, wrapping his arms around Alex as though letting go might make him disappear again. His chest tightened, joy flooding him so hard it hurt. A tear slipped free.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered shakily. “I made wishes almost every day, hoping I would see you on my way in or out. Every time I saw any green-eyed man, I would look him up well, hoping it would be you. It never happened… until now. I’m so glad to see you again."
Alex exhaled a soft, broken laugh. “Oh, my Lucas… if only you knew how close I came to losing my mind after that day at the Mayor’s birthday party. I felt it—the pull, the connection—but I couldn’t place it. Then I saw you again at Jessica’s party, at Club Unite…”
His grip tightened slightly. “I completely lost control. I nearly went crazy searching for you.”
Lucas’s heart, which had finally begun to steady, leapt all over again. Slowly, reluctantly, he eased out of the hug so he could look at Alex properly. Alex’s eyes were glossy, raw with the same emotion burning on his own.
“I owe you my life,” Alex said softly. “And I’m so damn glad you’re here.” His lips curved into a fond smile. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young man. Honestly, if not for your hair and those eyes…”
He lifted a hand, fingers sliding gently through Lucas’s curls. “I might not have recognized you.”
Still silky. Still so uniquely you.
Before Lucas could react, Alex leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead—slow, deliberate, overflowing with everything he hadn’t said yet.
Filled with sensation, Lucas’s eyes fluttered closed to the feelings of his warm lips on his forehead. Even when Alex withdrew his eyes were still closed. Alex whispered to himself, “Maybe I should have kissed his lips.”
Then he lifted his chin, but his eyes snapped open, their eyes locking, but then something flickered in Lucas's eyes. Alex’s instinct warned him to take it slow. So Alex smiled, “Come on, let's eat something.”
Lucas checked the time, “I have only thirty minutes and it's almost up. I would…”
“No, Lucas, I’m the boss, so you will eat something, okay.”