Page 11 of Hope & Harmony

He pulls his hand away. "I'm sorry if I'm smothering you. I never wanted to push you into anything."

"You haven't. I promise. It's just…I don't know how to do this." My voice is raw with confusion and fear.

Just like that, I see the depth of his feelings laid bare. His brown eyes reveal a vulnerability that makes my heart twist. "Hope, I'm in love with you."

"I'm falling for you, too,but..." My words, meant to reassure, have the opposite effect.

I can't say the words. Not yet. It's too soon.

He stiffens as he processes my words or lack thereof.

"I thought we were...in the same place." His voice is laced with pain. Immediately, I want to reach out and erase the distance I've carelessly created.

“We are. It’s also a lot very quickly. I’ve never been this dependent on anyone, and it’s hard to not feel like I’m losing myself in the process,” I try to explain, my heart aching at the confusion in his eyes. “I’m going to my room. I need to lie down.”

Alek’s sorrowful gaze follows me, yet he doesn’t hold me back. Though my guilt of deepening his distress is crushing, I wasn’t lying. My head is pounding, and I have to rest.

Lying in the dark room, I’m torn between my developing feelings for Alek and my need to reclaim some independence.

This feels like a crossroads.

When all I want is for our paths to merge.

CHAPTER 11

ALEK

Five Days Later

God, I miss her.

It’s been a tense five days since Hope expressed her need for space. She and I have barely spoken or addressed our conversation. We’re not fighting, no. Instead, we tiptoe around each other with pleasant smiles and polite words.

The effortless chats and laughter are gone. There’s been no physical affection. No stolen kisses. No making love.

All the good stuff has been replaced by a strained cordiality that's wearing me thin.

I'm a mess.

Plus, my brain's stuck in a worry loop. She's catching Ubers to her doctor’s appointments instead of riding with me. Don't get me wrong, her steps toward independence are exactly what I've hoped for. I'm happy she's piecing her life back together because Ineverwanted her to feel like a caged bird.

I just want to be along for this part of her journey, and it feels like I'm being iced out.

So yeah, I'm proud but also panicked of becoming irrelevant in Hope's colorful world.

And now, apparently, she's got the green light from her neurologist to start working again—with conditions. Zane's wife, Fiona, offered her a gig as a host at her fine-dining restaurant, Gus. It's perfect, really. She'll earn some money in the high-end establishment and won't be subjected to The Mission's sensory overload.

Tonight's her first shift.

As Hope's about to head out, looking gorgeous in a black, fitted dress, I muster up a weak, "You look beautiful. Good luck tonight."

God. My attempt at normalcy feels so forced. Even to my ears.

She pauses. "Thanks, Alek. I... Do you think I'll be okay?"

Hope wrings her hands, clearly anxious. I hate that she doubts herself.

"Absolutely." I paste on a smile. "You're going to be great. Fiona is lucky to have you."

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