HEART BEAT

CHAPTER NINE

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**Chapter 9**

When they reached her apartment, they quickly settled into their usual routine-Kira grabbing a couple of beers from the fridge while Alex dialed in their pizza order. The scent of freshly baked crust and melted cheese soon filled the air as they sat on the couch, the flicker of the TV casting a warm glow across the room.

It was the kind of evening that Kira cherished the most-simple, unpretentious, and full of quiet companionship. She and Alex had fallen into a rhythm over the years, one that felt natural and easy. Even now, with their relationship evolving into something more, that comfort remained.

As the opening credits of the movie rolled, Kira found herself leaning into Alex's side, her head resting against his shoulder. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her closer as they settled in to watch. It wasn't long before the movie faded into the background, the warmth of his body and the steady rise and fall of his breath lulling her into a state of contentment.

"Are you still awake?" Alex's voice broke the comfortable silence, his tone soft and teasing.

"Barely," Kira admitted with a sleepy smile, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "I'm too comfortable. You make a great pillow, you know that?"

Alex chuckled, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Glad to be of service."

Kira sighed contentedly and nestled deeper into his embrace, feeling the stress of the day melt away. They continued to watch the movie, but Kira's thoughts were far from the screen. Instead, they were focused on Alex, on the way his presence seemed to make everything better, more manageable. She had always known he was special to her, but now, with their relationship taking on new dimensions, she was realizing just how much he meant to her.

Halfway through the movie, Kira's phone buzzed on the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a notification. She glanced at it, recognizing the number immediately-her mother. A wave of guilt washed over her as she reached for the phone, knowing she hadn't called her parents in a while.

"Sorry, I should take this," Kira murmured as she sat up, already sliding her finger across the screen to answer the call.

"Of course," Alex said with an understanding smile, giving her space as she stepped away to the kitchen for some privacy.

"Hey, Mom," Kira greeted, trying to keep her voice light.

"Kira! It's so good to hear your voice," her mother replied, her tone warm and full of affection. "I've been meaning to call, but I know how busy you've been with work. How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm good, Mom," Kira said, leaning against the counter. "Busy, but good. How are you and Dad?"

"We're doing well," her mother replied. "Just the usual-garden work, catching up with old friends, and watching way too many reruns on TV. But enough about us. How are things with you? Anything new and exciting in your life?"

Kira hesitated, her gaze flicking back to the living room where Alex was sitting, waiting patiently for her to return. She hadn't yet told her parents about her relationship with Alex, and the thought of doing so now filled her with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

"Well, actually... there is something," Kira began, her voice faltering slightly. "I've been seeing someone. Someone you already know, actually."

"Oh?" Her mother's tone was filled with interest. "Who is it?"

"It's Alex," Kira said, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Alex Parkel. You remember him, right?"

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and Kira could almost picture her mother's expression-surprised, but not entirely shocked. Her parents had met Alex a few times over the years, and while they had always been polite, she wasn't sure how they would react to the news that he was now more than just a friend.