Happily Never After (sequel to Stolen Love)

Chapter 7

I was looking over the files I came across a fact that I couldn't believe I didn't catch before. Every girl had a boyfriend and a best friend. I don't know if it has anything to do with the case, but it is a commonality between each girl. If it does have something to do with the case, I don't know what it would be. 

"Ready to go home?" I looked up to see Alex standing in front of me. 

"I don't know. I found another similarity between the girls. I don't know if it means anything to the case or not." 

"What is it?" 

"Every girl had a best friend and a boyfriend. Some girls had more than that but, every girl had at least one best friend and then a boyfriend." I paused for a few seconds before speaking again. "Did you get anything today?"

"Nothing. This guy is good I can say that."

"We'll catch him," I told Alex.

"I know we will. I've got you on my side. I know we'll catch him."

"We should go, we're meeting Ryan for dinner in an hour." I picked up everything I had lying out and put it in my desk drawer. 

"Is this some fancy restaurant or..." Alex stopped talking

"It's just a diner on the other side of town. Ryan wants to meet you. Everything will be fine, relax."

"I am relaxed. What makes you think I'm not relaxed?" Alex asked in a very unrelaxed tone. 

"Let's go. I don't want to be late and I want to go home to change first."

-- At home --

"I thought you said this wasn't anything fancy." Alex walked into out bedroom as I was brushing my hair. I was wearing a black skirt paired with a silver sparkly top. 

"It's not." 

"That outfit looks pretty fancy compared to a diner that is older than we are." 

"It's the second time I have seen my brother in almost 12 years. I want to make a good impression." 

-- At the diner --

We walked in the door and I saw Ryan sitting at a table by himself. He was wearing jeans, I could tell they were new. He had a shirt on that looked brand new as well. In fact, everything about his appearance was brand new. He obviously was trying to make a good impression for Alex. 

"Hey, Emily!" Ryan called, half yelling. Ryan, Alex and I were the only people in the diner besides and an old lady who was wiping down tables. 

"Hey, Ryan." I said with a smile on my face. I was genuinely happy to see my brother, which came as a surprise to me. "This is my husband, Alex." They shook each other's hands and greeted each other before Alex and I sat down across from Ryan. 

"I already ordered." Ryan said as he passed a menu over to me. "Get whatever you want, on me."

"Ryan, that's sweet but, I already told you, Alex and I can pay. You don't have a job, save your money." 

"Actually, I got a job. Today." A shocked look fell upon my face, as well as excitement. 

"Ryan, that's great! What is it?"

"Construction. Right now, we are working on a parking lot for the playground right across from the high school."

"That's great. I'm so happy for you." I said with a smile. 

The three of us talked for the rest of dinner. Before we knew it, it was 9:00 and we had been talking for a couple hours. 

"We better get home." I told Alex. "We have to be up early tomorrow. We're going to the school tomorrow, remember?" 

"Oh yeah. Well, it was great to meet you." Alex told Ryan."

"Same here. Hopefully, we can do this again?"

"Definitely. We would love that." Alex and I left as Ryan stayed for a few more minutes. 

-- Back at home --

I climbed into bed and set my alarm. Tomorrow we were going to the high school. All of the girls went to River wood High. Maybe, somebody there would know something that could be helpful to the case. 

Alex climbed into bed next to me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He moved in closer to my body and started kissing my neck. I turned my head around and placed my lips on his. I wrapped my leg over his as I moved on top of him, our lips never parting. I pulled his shirt over his head and Alex proceeded by grabbing my top and sliding it off over my head. 

-- The next morning --

I woke up a few minutes before the alarm went off. I was lying against Alex's chet, using his arm as a pillow. I laid there until the alarm went blaring before I got up. I wanted to enjoy the moment.

I felt Alex stir. I turned over and smiled at him. 

"We need to get up. We have to be at the high school in 1 hour." 

Alex smiled at me.

"What?" I asked him. 

"Nothing. I just... I love you."

"I love you too." I replied