Page 46 of Counting the Stars

“You really think so?” His face lights up. No question, I’m one of his biggest supporters, and he is mine. Alex has had my back since the moment we met…which was when I locked my keys inside Stinky less than twenty-four hours after arriving in my new hometown. Not the most graceful introduction on my part, but that certainly didn’t matter to Alex. He’s been coming to my rescue since day one.

“Absolutely. I’ve never seen someone stay so calm under pressure. You’re the perfect person to handle that responsibility, and you already have the respect from your coworkers. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you. But I don’t have the job yet.” His face flushes at the attention, and I wonder how many times someone has stood in his corner or told him they believe in him. I get out of my seat and scoot into the booth next to his side.

“In case no one has ever said it…” I place my hand on his shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thanks,” he mutters without making eye contact with me. His response confirms my suspicions. How could younotbe proud of this man?

“Has—”

“I love this song,” Alex cuts me off and nudges me out of the booth. “Let’s dance while we wait for the rest of our food.”

We make our way to the dance floor where other couples have already gathered as a country ballad plays from the jukebox. I’m too short to rest my head near his shoulder, so I opt for his chest instead. No complaints here.

“Mmm.” I snuggle in closer while Alex keeps a firm grip around my waist. “Have I ever told you that I love the smell of your cologne?”

“I don’t think so.”

“This is kind of embarrassing, but I loved when my room flooded and we had to take turns sharing your bed. Your sheets always smelled so amazing.” Good heavens, I’m getting comfortable way too fast.

“I enjoyed sharing my bed with you too. I especially liked the night I woke up to find you on top of me.”

“You stop it right now.” I snap my head up to look at him. “We promised to never talk about that night.” There may have been a moment when I woke up to find myself straddling Alex in bed. To this day, I have no memory of the action, only the aftermath when Alex woke me up. I was so embarrassed, I never even told Michelle or Aly about what happened.

“You mean the time you mounted me like I was your noble stallion and we were galloping off into the sunset?”

“I swear, I was asleep. I didn’t know what I was doing,” I hiss, hoping no one heard him.

He begins to neigh, earning weird looks from couples dancing nearby. I do the first thing that comes to mind. I jump up on my toes, wrap my arms around his neck, and shut him up with a kiss. At first, it’s hasty. I’ve caught him off guard. He takes a step back for better balance but never pulls his lips away from mine. Every nerve in my body flutters as he tightens his grip around my waist with one hand and runs his other hand up my back and into my hair.

“Get a room!” a voice calls from somewhere, startling us both and ending the most epic kiss of my life. Not that I’ve had many, but I don’t need to kiss a million frogs to know I’ve met a prince.

“Well, that was unexpected.” Alex pulls back with a surprised, yet satisfied, smirk.

“It was the only thing I could think of to get you to stop.” I pant. My heart is racingat triple speed.

“I thought you wanted to take things slow.” Concern washes over his face.

“Wasn’t that slow?” I place my hand on my hip, trying to act casual.

“If that’s what you consider slow, I’m all for it.” He places his hand on the small of my back and guides me to our booth where our dinner is waiting for us.

Reality seeps in as I sit down. Oh my God, I just kissed Alex. Me! I initiated it and I liked it!

“Hey.” He reaches across the table and places his hand under my chin. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I don’t know if I can put it into words.” I look into his bright blue eyes. “The more I fall for you, the more I’m scared to lose you.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you don’t know that. Life is unpredictable.” I berate myself for bringing this up again for like the hundredth time, but I can’t get it out of my head.

“Gabby, stop. The Earth could get wiped out by a giant meteorite tomorrow. No one knows what will happen to any of us. But you do have a choice. You can live in fear, expecting the worst, or you can live in the moment and enjoy what you have.”

“I’m trying to live in the moment.” My voice quivers. “But then my nerves get the best of me.”

“I know.” He runs his thumb over my cheek. “You just have to keep trying, and you know what?”

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