Project GoldCrest ✓

Chapter 23

Charlotte

Halfway through our conversation, my phone started ringing. It was Cole. I was more annoyed about the fact that Alec saw my phone as it was lying on the coffee table. Instead of answering the phone, I watched as his eyes widened in realization.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" He said simply.

"I'm kinda ignoring him," I answered.

"Everything makes sense now." He said and I nodded my head. The phone finally stopped ringing.

I couldn't think of a word to say to that. Gradually though, the prospect of him knowing the truth about Cole didn't bother me as much as I thought it would. At this point, I actually couldn't bring myself to care that one of my secrets is out. Besides, I had a lot of spare bigger secrets. I was just glad that he didn't find out about Mickey instead.

"How long have you been dating?" He asked as a teasing glint danced in his blue eyes.

Alec always harboured no judgement. Honestly, I wish everyone was like him. "Since the start of the term," I answered him back with a smile. I loved the fact that I could talk openly about this with a trusted friend. Alec was honestly an angel.

"I've clearly missed a lot since I left that school. I never thought you'd start dating," he mused. I completely understood why he thought that. I was more into proving that I didn't need a boyfriend when I was younger. I'd purposely go out of my way to squash any chivalrous thoughts Alec, Henry, Avery, Blake and Mickey had. It sure annoyed Olivia, but that was just her thing. She loved being fawned over by the opposite gender's attention.

"Me either. But it happened anyway," I said in the same laid back tone of voice he used.

"Do you love him?"

"Umm, no," I answered honestly. "I just like him."

"Like can be a pretty strong word sometimes."

"I know," I breathed. "It's just a bit complicated with him."

"Uncomplicate it then."

"It's not as simple as you think. I'm even wondering if this dating business is even worth the trouble once useless problems settle in."

"Sounds like you're already over dating him. Dating someone should not be as draining as you make it seem. It should be a beautiful time that you and the other person use to genuinely get to know each other. It should always be an exciting prospect. So why don't you fix things with him?" He asked as if he hadn't just made a passionate speech about dating.

So I ignored his question and drilled him with my own. "Just tell me who the special girl is. Do I know her?"

Alec blushed as he realized that I'd caught him. "Okay, maybe you do but maybe you don't. It's still a new thing and we're not dating. Yet."

"But you will. Go Alec," I pumped a fist in the air. Whoever this mysterious girl was, she was very lucky. Few guys wanted to take things slow with no rush. Cole and I went from chatting to dating in just a week. "I bet she's already in love with you."

"That's a nice thought."

"Tell me about her," I urged. I wanted to know more about this girl who'd captured my friend's heart.