Heart of Stone

Hot Tub

A heavy silence hung in the air, and the longer it stretched the higher Eloise's nerves went. She desperately wished he would say something, anything. Even if he was angry, it would be better than this all-consuming silence.

Alexander found he didn't quite know how to react. He'd been reminded of that night in the hotel after Evelyn Styles' birthday party where LouLou had told him there were things about her he didn't know. His first emotion had been shock, but then he'd settled into confusion. How could she be married when there was no sign of another man in her life? He knew she was waiting anxiously for him to respond, but he wanted to get it right.

"...You're married?" He asked, trying to give himself another moment to think without keeping her waiting.

"Well...yes, but my husband didn't want to be married to me. We have always lived separate lives." She confessed.

Somehow, he felt a wave of relief wash over him, but then his curiosity piqued. How could someone not want to marry LouLou? She was beautiful, smart, sweet, and quite resilient from what he could tell. She was nearly his definition of the perfect woman.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" He asked.

"I guess...I was just afraid you wouldn't want anything to do with me if you knew. I met you so unexpectedly and then I didn't think I would see you again, but there you were waltzing right into my store and somehow into my life. I've stayed away from other men, and I didn't mean for any of this to happen, but it did, and I suddenly had somebody where I had no one." She explained.

Alexander reached across the space and took her small hand in his. He was warm where she was cold, and she found herself wanting to move closer to him. She'd yet to tell him the whole truth, but so far, he was handling the prospect of them both being married quite well. If he knew they were married to each other, however, she wasn't sure how he would react.

"This does not change anything, LouLou. We are in similar positions, and so we are more like mirrors." He said.

"Your understanding means a lot to me. It almost makes me feel like I could share another truth with you, but I don't know if I'm ready." She spoke honestly.

"Then wait until you are." He said, his thumb trailing soothing circles on the back of her hand.

An insistent buzzing interrupted their moment, and Alexander's features pulled down into a scowl. He glanced at his phone that was sitting on the coffee table and saw Marcus' name lighting up on the screen. He sighed and picked up the phone with his free hand and opened the text message.

"Don't forget to ask her about the floral arrangements. You also need to order a cake."

Alexander would have smirked in amusement if he hadn't interrupted them. It seemed LouLou was bleeding over into every area of his life lately, but he didn't feel like complaining about it anymore. He hadn't realized how dull his life had been until he'd met her.

"What is it...?" She asked, seeing the hint of amusement on his face.

"I have a gathering coming up in which I need to remember to order a floral arrangement." He said, glancing at her.

She gave him a bright smile, chuckling softly.

"Just tell me what you're thinking, and I'll make it happen." She said.

"I was thinking red. Red roses with whatever red flowers will compliment them nicely." He said.

"Red seems like your color." She said, taking her free hand and tracing patterns on the hand that was holding hers.

"It is my favorite color." He said. "I also have another request for you."

"Oh? What is it?" She asked curiously.