Page 10 of Hope & Harmony

"You know, I wanted to talk to you for months before you were assaulted, but I was such a coward," I admit, laughing at myself. "I spent each day trying to psych myself up. Right before your attack was the first time I found the courage to hand you a tip."

Hope's laughter joins mine, light and easy. "I remember thinking you were handsome, but I was late for work. Little did I know you'd come to my rescue minutes later."

I shake my head. "Guess I'm not exactly the hero type."

"No, you'reexactlythe hero type." The mood shifts slightly as a shadow of sadness crosses her beautiful face. "I miss singing so much. It's like part of me is missing when I can't perform."

Instinctively, I sit up, and my hand finds hers. "You'll find your way back once you're feeling better."

Our eyes lock, and the world pauses. Lost in the moment, I lean in and press my lips against hers. It's a soft, hesitant kiss, but it's charged with all the unspoken feelings I've bottled up, combined with the growing affection we've shared over the past weeks.

Hope moans and kisses me back. Threads her fingers through my hair. It lights a spark between us. An undeniable connection where everything else fades away, and there's only us.

Eventually, Hope pulls back and gazes at me, her blue eyes sparkling. "Alek.Wow."

"Yeah." I smooth her dark hair away from her face. "Wow."

Though there are a million questions still hanging between us, for now, this is enough.

It's like we're on the edge of something new. Something exciting.

I can't wait to see where it leads.

CHAPTER 10

HOPE

Three Weeks Later

If there were a blueprint for the perfect boyfriend, it would be Alek.

It's three weeks post-kiss, and we've shared many more beautiful, intimate moments. Our dynamic has subtly evolved from strangers to friends to lovers in a short span of time, which is…confusing. Throughout it all, Alek's been my sanctuary. Not only has he provided unwavering support, but he makes me laugh and accepts me for who I am without judgment.

So, on one hand, adapting to life together has been unexpectedly wonderful. Yet, as I piece myself back together, I'm tangled in a myriad of emotions. As irresistibly drawn to Alek as I feel, my dependency on him—both financially and emotionally—freaks me out.

In other words, falling for him has been easy, but my reliance on him shakes me to the core.

At least my health's on the upswing, even the lingering headaches don't hit as hard. The brain fog, however, is astubborn reminder of the night I was brutally attacked. Not to mention the loss of my cherished guitar.

I try not to think about it much because when I do, it feels like I'm going to start screaming and never stop.

The problem is, Idothink about it. All. The. Time.

Tonight, as we enjoy delicious Chicken Tikka Masala, a weighted silence hangs between us.

"Hey." Alek, intuitive and gentle, furrows his brow. "Are you feeling okay? You seem...off."

I puff out a breath. "Um. It's complicated."

"Tell me." He reaches over and clasps my hand.

I squeeze his fingers between mine. "This...us. I'm into you.Somuch, but it's also scary. I lean on you. Rely on you. Not just for recovery but also emotionally. It's overwhelming."

"Oh." His eyebrows raise in surprise.

"You have to admit, the past few weeks have been intense. It's hard not to feel like I'm losing myself." My attempt to clarify has the opposite effect, as evidenced by how wounded he looks.

Damn. The last thing I want is to hurt him.

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