Page 101 of Just This Once

He mumbled something indistinct before his face poked from the blankets and he blinked tired blue eyes at me.

“Good morning,” I greeted with a fond smile, tucking my hands under my face to watch him wake completely.

“Morning,” he mumbled, stretching under the covers before rolling to face me as well. “Is it Sunday?”

“Yep.” I reached out to flick a rowdy curl out of his eyes. “Can today be an Alec-Hope day?”

“Of course.” Then he let out a massive yawn and asked, “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“Nope.” I grinned, knowing exactly how ravenous he was first thing after he woke. “We can go wherever you like.”

“I vote for Marty’s Cafe. Though I’d take anywhere that’s not the kitchen.” With a wince, he admitted, “It’s been kind of weird and strained around here lately.”

“I heard.” Snorting, I shook my head. “Oaklynn was on the phone with Foster, trying to give Xander back to him when I came in.”

Alec winced. “Yeah. I can tell Vargas has been losing her patience with her.”

“Wow. You actually sound like youdon’twant the new roommate to go anymore,” I noted curiously. “You were the last person who wanted her here.”

Shrugging, he sighed. “I don’t know. I just feel bad for her.” Glancing at me, he added, “I seriously can’t imagine loving someone so much that losing them would wreck me like that.”

Parker’s face suddenly wavered through my head, but I shoved it out as soon as it appeared.

“But she’s just—she’s really sad,” Alec said sympathetically.

“Yeah, I could tell.” Nodding along with him, I added, “I suggested she tryHope Floatswhen I passed through the living room just now.”

Alec’s eyes widened in horror. “You didwhat?”

“What?” I asked, not understanding his concern. “That one helped me a lot when you watched it with me after Colby Sanger dumped me.”

“But this girl is notyou,” Alec started. “I mean,The Princess Bridemakes her cry.The Princess-freaking-Bride. No one cries at that movie.Hope Floatsmight just kill her.”

“I—I’m sorry,” I started, feeling as ifImight cry a little myself. The last thing I ever wanted to do was upset Alec, and he looked really upset. Everything inside me trembled uncontrollably, and my mind whirled with the memory of leaving that hotel room.

When freaking tears welled, I started to jump off the bed and rush upstairs to tell Xander to stay away fromHope Floatsfor the rest of her natural life, but Alec reached out and caught my arm.

“Whoa, hey,” he soothed. “It’s fine. It’s okay. It’s not that big of a deal. Wow. You look completely rattled. I seriously didn’t mean to stress you like that.”

I blew out a long, steadying breath and brushed at my cheek, glad no tears had actually fallen, before trickling out a small laugh. “Sorry. I—yeah.” I ran a hand through my hair to get myself back under control. “I knew that. No worries.”

“But did you?” he pressed.

I blinked, not understanding. “What?”

Alec squinted suspiciously before throwing back his covers. “Alright,” he announced, pulling himself upright to sit facing me with his legs crossed. Then patting the bed in front of him, he invited me to do the same. “Something is going on with you. Will you please just tell me why you’re really here already?”

“Ugh,” I muttered, dragging myself upright to sit facing him as well. “I hate that you know me so well.”

“Whatever. You love it,” he countered with a big grin as he jostled my knee. “Now talk.”

“Fine,” I grumbled before looking into his eyes. I was still trying to figure out what to honestly tell him without actuallytellinghim anything, when I suddenly just blurted, “I think—I think I fell in love.”

Alec blinked before his mouth fell open. “Seriously?”

I bit my lip and nodded.

“Wow,” he breathed in stunned shock. “With Paul?”

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