What He Really Wants

Chapter Nineteen

ALEX

Staring at a human being for this long should be a crime.
But I couldn't help it.

She looked gorgeous in the early morning sunlight, so peaceful, so... ethereal. I debated whether to close the curtains—she always squints when the light hits her face—but selfishly, I didn't want to move. Not even an inch. Not when I could just stay here, watching her.

Work could wait.

Her hair was all over the place, her lips curved in a soft, sleepy smile. I'd give away every cent I own just to know what she was dreaming of. She snuggled closer into my arms like a cat curling into itself. I stifled a laugh, but a small chuckle escaped anyway.

Her eyes fluttered open—unfocused at first—then landed on me.
God help me, I was whipped.

I could see her thinking, trying to come up with a way to escape the bed. I held my breath, hoping she'd give up. But then I saw the resolve in her eyes.

Nope. Not happening.

"Hey," she murmured, voice still hoarse with sleep, eyes squinting. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"Hey," I replied, placing a soft kiss on her lips and pulling her tighter into me. She smiled, radiant and unguarded. That smile could destroy me.

"Don't even think about getting out of this bed," I whispered, burying my face in her hair.

"But Peter—"

"—has the help."

"He'd want to see me before he leaves for school," she argued half-heartedly.

"It's Saturday, Edna," I said, grinning at my small victory.

She paused, then sighed, "Yeah but... what about your work?"

"I'm skipping today."

She blinked, and I could see a smile tugging at her lips. I wrapped my arms tighter around her. "You're trying to avoid me, admit it," I teased, gently stroking her hair.

"I'm not," she mumbled, her words muffled by my chest.

"Are too."

"Immature."

She was rolling her eyes. I didn't have to see it to know it.

"I still think we should get up," she said firmly. I recognized that tone—it meant I'd lost this round.

"You're no fun," I muttered, letting her go and sitting up. She stood, grabbing the sheets and wrapping them around her like a makeshift gown.

"You know that's not true. Besides, I want to stop by the restaurant." Her laughter lingered in the air like music.

"Well then," I said, eyes gleaming, "let's take a shower together. We could save water. I could come with you, too."

"You're impossible." She huffed—but still stepped into the shower.

I grinned. Victory.

⸻

EDNA

I was just closing up the restaurant when my phone rang.
It wasn't Alex—he'd left earlier after an urgent call from the office. He was trying, really trying. I could see the effort, and that scared me more than I wanted to admit.

"Hello?" I answered, wedging the phone between my shoulder and ear as I locked the front door.

"This is Selena."

Her name hit me like a slap. Cold washed over me. Why was Alex's ex-lover calling me?
Why did I suddenly feel sick?

"Wait—before you hang up, I wanted to apologize."

Apologize? My grip tightened on the phone.
"For what?" I asked cautiously.

"I heard you and Alex are back together. I'm sure he must've apologized for throwing you out... after finding out you were innocent."

My blood turned to ice.

"I thought I should say sorry, too," she continued lightly, as if it were just casual conversation.

"He... knows?" My voice trembled. I already knew the answer, but I needed her to say it.

"Of course," she said, bored, almost yawning through the line. "He's known for months now."

Silence.

"Guess you weren't that important after all."

Click.

The line went dead.
And so did my happiness.

⸻

Author's Note

😭 I knew she shouldn't have picked up that phone!!
What do you guys think?
• Did Alex really know and keep it from her?
• Should Edna confront him right away?
• Or should she test him first and find out the truth herself?

Comment below what you'd do if you were in Edna's shoes 💔
And don't forget to vote, share, and follow if you're hooked like I am!