His Shortcake

Chapter 27

Dustyn Franco

My apartment feels quiet and empty.

At least, that's how it's been since Mara moved back in with Alec. I wasn't used to not seeing her first thing in the morning or hearing her hum as she made us coffee in her pajamas. Suddenly, it feels like my life was so much more dull before she stayed with me.

The excitement I used to feel about coming home after work has vanished. I used to be eager because I knew I'd either be picking Mara up from her classes or finding her curled up on the couch with a blanket, watching Lucifer. Even just the thought of having dinner with her after a long day brightened my mood.

Now, it's just the same gloomy, dark apartment it was before Mara stayed with me. I can't believe I used to live like this—it's dreadful. No one could be excited to come home to a place this depressing.

Alec's invitation for a night out was a welcome distraction. I didn't hesitate for a second to accept. It had been an awful day, and I was eager to escape the apartment and avoid feeling how empty it had become.

At the bar, spotting Alec wasn't hard. In a crowd of people, he was the only man without a woman hanging onto his arm. Lonely, alone, and distant—that's Alec Ramirez to anyone who doesn't know him.

"Hey," I greeted him just as the waiter brought another round of whiskey to his table.

Alec gave me a nod before ordering another whiskey and two shots of vodka. "Thanks, man," he muttered.

"Whoa. Planning to get wasted tonight?" I asked, surprised at how quickly he downed the whiskey like it was water. We're both heavy drinkers, but it's been years since I've seen Alec throw back drinks like that—since the day his wedding was called off, to be exact. He was devastated, spending days drowning in alcohol and misery. It was the lowest point I've ever seen him at.

"Things have been a complicated mess lately. Bear with me," Alec said softly, giving me a sad smile. His eyes were hard, as if he was deep in thought. Then, suddenly, he looked away, shaking his head like speaking further would only make things worse.

Sensing his reluctance, I kept my questions to myself. The waiter returned with Alec's order, and without hesitation, I told him to keep the drinks coming and put everything on my tab. Alec looked at me, surprised.

"Let's get wasted, yeah?" I said with a grin, raising my shot of vodka to him.

He grabbed the other shot with a grin of his own. "We shall," he said, and we both downed the shots without a second thought.

It was going to be a long night for both of us.

****

Things have felt like a dream since Valentine's Day.

Mara confessing her love for me was a dream come true. Even now, just thinking about those words coming out of her mouth makes me smile like an idiot. My shortcake fell for me, and I was already there, ready to catch her. Honestly, I think she broke me that day—two weeks later, and I still can't stop grinning at the memory.

That day was as sweet and unforgettable as Mara herself.

Maybe it's the fact that I haven't seen her in these past two weeks since she moved back in with Alec, or maybe it's the surreal feeling of everything that's happened. Whatever the reason, I'm on cloud nine, and I have no intention of coming back down anytime soon.

"I see you've managed to do absolutely nothing," Veronica said as she dropped another stack of papers onto the side of my desk. Her eyes scanned the mountain of paperwork in front of me. Booming business was great, but the sheer amount of paperwork might drive me insane. "Stop daydreaming before your company crumbles to ashes."