The rain had finally eased up by the time I decided to shower. My head felt clearer after Alex’s unexpected visit earlier, though it was still hard to wrap my mind around the fact that he’d climbed up my balcony just to check on me. I wasn’t sure what to make of it all, especially after the night at Jacob’s party.
As I stood under the warm water, I found myself replaying everything that had happened. The kiss. The argument. Sofia’s outburst. And how Alex had shown up at my door again, uninvited but with concern etched in his eyes.
After drying off and slipping into my comfortable loungewear, I figured it was time to do something productive. I had skipped out on classes and work today, but I couldn’t hide forever. A part of me still felt guilty, not just for kissing Alex but for how everything had spiraled out of control afterward. I needed to make things right—or at least get some clarity on where we stood.
I texted Daisy, asking her to come over later, but I knew that wouldn’t be enough. I needed to talk to Alex, too, and clear the air once and for all.
It didn’t take long before I heard a soft knock at the door. For a moment, my heart jumped—part of me expected it to be Alex again. But when I opened it, I was met with Daisy’s wide grin. She stepped inside, immediately kicking off her shoes and plopping down on the couch like she owned the place.
“So… what did I miss?" she asked, stretching out lazily. "I figured you’d need a distraction after what went down last night."
I sat beside her, hugging a throw pillow. “Yeah… about that.”
Her smile faded as she took in my serious tone. “Spill it. What’s going on?”
I told her everything. The party. The kiss. How Sofia had stormed in and cursed at me, and how I’d run out of the house before things escalated further. I didn’t leave out Alex showing up in my apartment today either, which earned a raised eyebrow from Daisy.
“Well, damn,” she muttered after I finished, her expression somewhere between amused and concerned. “Looks like you’ve got yourself tangled up in a mess.”
“No kidding,” I sighed. “I don’t know what to think. I shouldn’t have kissed him, Daisy. He’s still with Sofia, and I’m not the kind of person to get between people.”
Daisy nodded, tapping her fingers against the arm of the couch. “True, but you’re not exactly the one forcing Alex to kiss you, are you? It’s not like he’s an innocent bystander in all this. You guys clearly have chemistry, but you’re right—it’s messy because he’s still with her. You need to figure out where his head’s at.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I admitted. “I don’t know if I want to hear the truth.”
“Better to get it over with than keep living in this confusion,” Daisy said, giving me a soft nudge. “Text him, Winnie. Get him to meet up, talk it out. You’ll never get peace if you keep wondering.”
She was right. As much as I dreaded the conversation, I couldn’t keep avoiding Alex. I needed to know what he wanted, and where that left me.
So, after Daisy left, I picked up my phone and texted Alex: We need to talk. Meet me tomorrow at the café, 10 AM.
I wasn’t sure what would come of it, but I knew one thing for sure—I needed answers.
The next morning, I arrived at the café early, sitting at one of the corner booths with a latte in hand. My stomach was in knots as I waited. I wasn’t sure how this would go, but I was determined to get some clarity—no matter what.
Alex showed up a few minutes later, his expression unreadable as he slid into the seat across from me. There was an awkward pause, both of us unsure where to begin.
“Winnie, I—”
I held up a hand, stopping him. “Before you say anything, I just need to know... what are we doing? Where do we stand?”
He looked down for a moment, running a hand through his hair before meeting my gaze. “You’re right to ask. I should’ve been more upfront with you. Things with Sofia… they’ve been over for a while now. We were only together because of our parents’ business arrangement, but I haven’t felt anything real with her in a long time. I should’ve ended it before any of this happened.”
I bit my lip, trying to process his words. “But you didn’t. And now everything’s a mess.”
“I know,” he said, his voice soft. “But last night… that kiss… it wasn’t just some mistake. I’ve been wanting to get closer to you since the day we met. I know I should’ve handled things better, but I can’t ignore how I feel about you, Winnie.”
Hearing those words made my heart race, but I couldn’t let myself get swept up in the moment. “You need to be sure, Alex. If you’re not done with Sofia, or if you’re not ready for something real, then I can’t be a part of this.”
He nodded, his gaze steady. “I am sure. I want to be with you, Winnie. But only if you’ll have me.”
The sincerity in his voice was hard to ignore, but part of me still felt conflicted. Could I trust him after everything that had happened? Or was I setting myself up for more heartbreak?
“I need time,” I finally said. “I need to think about it.”
Alex nodded, understanding. “Take all the time you need. I’ll wait.”
As he left the café, I was left with a swirl of emotions. There was still so much to process, but at least now, I had the truth. Whether or not I wanted to take the leap with Alex was a decision I’d have to make—on my own terms.
YOU ARE READING
Not So Out Of Reach
RomanceFrom café duties to campus. Winnie is young independent black girl, who really doesn't want much but achieve her goals. Love isn't in her books at first until she meets Alex, an aspiring musician and influencer to both socials and real life. Despi...
