Page 109 of The Rules of Dating a Younger Man

“A few hours ago.”

“You already checked into your hotel?”

“Yeah. I got here this afternoon, checked in…then sat in my room alone and thought about how much I wished I could come say hello to you.” She paused. “And then I figured, what’s stopping me from doing that?” She looked down at her wine glass. “Things were quite tense between us the last time we saw each other, but I thought I’d take a chance that you were alone and might not mind the surprise visit.”

“I’m really glad you didn’t let what happened in Seneca Falls stop you from coming by.” I forced myself to look at her. “I’m sorry...about everything. I felt awful that you were caught off guard by seeing Lacey’s name on my phone. And I regret not seeking you out before I left. But I didn’t want to make things worse by chasing you down when you were already upset.”

“You don’t have to explain, Brayden. We’re not together.” She let out a shaky breath. “Honestly, if you’re happy…then I’m happy.”

I should’ve told her then and there that I wasn’t seeing Lacey—and there was nothing in my life as of late to be happy about. But for some reason, I chose not to. I just let her speak.

“You’re right, though. I was surprised, though I shouldn’t have been. I mean, a virile guy like you isn’t going to stay single.”

Unable to hold back a second longer, I stepped forward. “There’s no one, Alex.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Absolutely no one. The woman whose name you saw on my phone was someone I really wanted to like, mostly because I’d assumed you’d moved on with someone else.” I shook my head. “But I couldn’t fall for her, even as much as I wanted someone to help me move on. I didn’t sleep with her, either. We just went on a few dates, and then I admitted to her a week ago that I wasn’t ready.”

She set her wine glass aside and rubbed her hands over her arms. “So…you’re not seeing anyone?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Wow,” she breathed. “Okay. I need to let that soak in for a moment. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“What were you expecting when you came here tonight?”

“The worst.” She laughed nervously.

I tilted my head. “Were you expecting to find me with her?”

“I wasn’t sure.”

“What about you?” I asked. “Have you started seeing anyone?”

She sighed. “I tried to go on a date with Wells’s boyfriend’s brother recently. But I wasn’t into him at all.” She chuckled. “He was too nice for me. He deserves someone who likes him for him, not someone who merely wanted a breathing human who could distract her from someone else. It was over before it even started.”

“Well, look at us…” I grinned. “I guess we’re both batting zero right now, huh?” I squelched the need to cup her cheek. “I’m so glad you came by. I know it wasn’t an easy decision, especially if you thought I might not be alone.”

“Even if you had been seeing someone, I didn’t come here for any other reason than to talk. Nothing has changed. I just…wanted to make things right between us. At the very least, I want us to be friends, if possible. I know that sounds crazy after everything we’ve been through, but I don’t want you to disappear from my life. I think that’s been the hardest part of this. So much of our relationship took place before we ever had sex, before everything turned crazy. Before we found out about Caitlin. You were a good friend to me and made my life better.”

I stared into her eyes. “Right back at you, sweetheart.” I took a breath. “I want you to be happy, to have no regrets. And I certainly don’t want to erase you from my life. It felt terrible being in Seneca Falls and not speaking to you.” I glanced over at the time. “Shit.”

A look of alarm crossed Alex’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“I forgot about dinner at Colby’s. He and Billie are hosting the entire crew, and Billie gets pissed when we’re late and the food gets cold.”

Alex pointed her thumb behind her. “No worries. I’ll get out of your hair. I said what I had to say.”

I reached out to stop her. “Are you kidding? Alex, you came all the way here. You can’t leave.” I laughed. “I mean that in the least creepy way possible.”

“Well, I don’t want you to cancel on your friends.”

“I won’t have to.” I can’t believe I’m saying this… “You can come to dinner with me. Come meet them.”

She bit her lip, seeming unsure. “Wouldn’t that be terribly awkward?”

I shrugged. “I think my friends will be happier than pigs in shit to see you. It’ll probably be the biggest surprise I’ve ever given them.”

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