Page 69 of Under Ground

Alex presses his nose in my hair. “You dumped me because you got scared. That doesn’t stop me loving you. And I’m pretty sure you still feel the same way.”

I close my eyes and enjoy his closeness. He’s right. And I’m still scared. But I still want him, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. I want us.

“Now lie down. Do you want to move to your room, or do you want me to go and get a pillow?”

“I can do that.” I push myself off the couch, but he gently pushes me back down again.

“You’re doing nothing. Put your feet up.” He walks past me and toward the hallway.

“Why are you being so good to me?”

He turns and I gulp at how good he looks. God, how I’ve missed him, and it hasn’t even been a week.

“Because I love you. And I love Casey. I want us to be a family, and I’ll do what it takes to show you I’ll look after you.”

My eyes prick with tears.

He could have just left the country and not looked back. But he’s here for me—for us.

Returning moments later, he hands me a pillow and a blanket from the bedroom, and I lie down.

“I’ll make some food. You rest.” Bending over, he kisses my temple before heading outside to the car.

I close my eyes and, with my headache finally receding, drift off to sleep.

All my anxiousness is gone with Alex’s return. The couch is comfortable, but still not the best place to rest. Still, I sleep better than I have in days.

And when I wake, he’s sitting in a nearby chair watching me.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” His smile makes me feel all warm inside. This. This feels like normal. It feels like what our lives should be like. Together.

“How long was I asleep?”

“About four hours. Casey binged Paw Patrol, ate a sandwich and now she’s fast asleep too. I figure you both need it, though. How are you feeling?”

I push myself up into a seated position. My head spins, but it just takes a deep breath to steady myself. “Better.”

“Glad to hear it. Get into bed and I’ll bring you through some lunch. I’ll take the couch tonight.”

I’m not about to argue. I grab my pillow and blanket and make my way up the hallway and into my room, flopping onto the cool sheets and sighing.

He’s changed the sheets on my bed.

I could weep at how thoughtful he is. Today I’m not so bad, but last night I was a mess of sweat, and I could do with a change of clothing myself.

Instead, I pull the covers over me and snuggle up with my pillow. Anything more requires way too much energy.

I doze until the scent of cheese fills the room, and I open my eyes to see Alex holding a steaming bowl of food.

“What’s that?”

“Mac and cheese.”

My eyebrows rise. “You made mac and cheese?”

“Out of a packet. I’m not a terrible cook, but I’m not that good.”

I push myself up, and he hands me the bowl and a fork. If I’m honest, he could serve me anything right now, and I’d probably eat it. My stomach grumbles as if to agree with me.

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