Page 24 of Stranded

Alph flicks on the landing light, and as I step inside, I gasp.

The staircase walls are painted a beautiful sage green. The wall leading upstairs has been turned into a huge gallery wall, with an eclectic mix of family photos and artwork in different frames.

“Do you like it?” Alph asks, watching me anxiously. “I only just did it last month. I’m not sure about those smaller frames. It might look cluttered…?”

“It’s perfect,” I promise. I’m not going to tell Alph that I’m already planning to sneak down here in the morning for more clues about who he is. “This was your family home growing up?”

Alph’s chest swells with pride. “Thanks. Yeah, it was.” He bends over to unlace his shoes. “I’m trying to update it without losing the important things.”

“So far, so good.” I sink onto the bottom step to take my shoes off. “I can’t wait to see the rest.”

Alph flicks on the other light switch, heading upstairs as I follow him. Then he turns to me and beams with earnest pride, flourishing both hands to indicate everything around us.

Hardwood floors, an open-plan living room with a cast-iron fireplace, a kitchen through the nearest doorway, and a hallway that must lead to the bedrooms…

It’sbeautiful.

I finally tear my gaze away from our surroundings to look at Alph again. He’s watching me for my reaction, and whatever he sees in my face makes him grin.

“Welcome home.”

I think I might just die.

“Okay. That’s everything, I think,” Alph declares, following me to the guest room. “I’ll bring some things up from my place. Towels, PJs for you, snacks…” he ticks off on his fingers. “Are you hungry?”

I sink onto the guest room bed with a blissful sigh. “Um… am I?” I think I’m too exhausted to decide.

Alph’s smile softens. “You must be tired. If you want a shower, it’s the door across the hall. I’ll leave everything outside your door. Except the snacks, of course.” He laughs. “They’ll be in the fridge. Or on the counter, depending on the snack.”

Until now, Alph has been so calm that it’s cute to see him getting so excited. I don’t think he has guests very often.

Or else there’s some other reason he’s excited to have me in his house… and I’d prefer to think it’s the latter.

“Thank you,” I laugh.

Alph nods. “If you need anything, I’ll stay upstairs tonight. I’m in the in the room at the end of the hall. We can sleep in tomorrow—my shift doesn’t start until lunchtime.”

I groan with relief. “I was worried I might have to be up at dawn.”

“Not at all,” Alph grins. “If you come with me to work, I can give you a ride to town and back… but only if you want.”

I gulp at the thought of going back there… even to move out.

“Wait until the morning to make up your mind,” Alph says, and I flinch at the sympathy written all over his face. “You can get a ride anytime.”

I clear my throat. “Tworides in one day? I’ll definitely have to find a way of repaying you.”

“I’m not asking for—” Alph breaks off his sentence when he notices my smirk. “Ferryrides,” he adds with a roll of his eyes, blushing fiercely.

He’s thought about it, too.

“If you like,” I tell him, batting my lashes innocently. I fold my hands in my lap, one on top of the other. “I prefer to be called other names.”

Alph’s lips slowly part, and then he pinches the bridge of his nose with one hand as he steps back from the doorway. “Good night, Ronan.”

“Good night!” I giggle as he slowly closes the door on me. His footsteps head down the hall and down the stairs, and then…

I’m alone.

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