Page 54 of It Had to be You

Speechless.

She was speechless.

Sure, they’d said it to each other over the phone. Texted it. Even written it, old school on actual paper, but it was something so very sweet to hear it in his voice… right there beside her.

And if that didn’t makeherthe luckiest woman anywhere, she didn’t know what else to believe.

Having a few weeks apart from Alexander had been tough. At first it wasn’t that bad.

They talked on the phone and on video andthat had been enough.

Then, as the days had stretchedon,she felt his absence as if a piece of her physical body was missing. Some nights she woke upand found herself hugging her pillow after dreaming it was him. Now, holding his hand was like a lifeline.

"I…"

She looked up at him and felt tears gather on her lashes.

"Alex, I don’t know why I’m so… overwhelmed."

He slowed to a stop and touched a kiss on the tip of her nose. "I think I know how you feel. Having you close enough to touch? To be able to hold your hand and hear your voice without something carrying the signal through the ether? My heart is pounding in my chest being physically close to you."

She almost laughed with relief.

When she turned to look at Alex’sparentsshe realized that they’d probably seen what had just happened. What would they think of her now?

As they reached the table, Alex started the introduction."Tatum, I’d like to introduce you to my-"

"She knows who we are!" His mother pulled Tatum closer and gave her a hug. "You’re so talented!"

Tatum looked back at Alex, a little bit in shock.

He grinned and shook his head."My mother loves to-"

"I make his father take me dancing every chance I can, now with both of usliking dancing, Alexander can get his father to go even more."

"Ellen, let her breathe."

"Hush," she tsked at her husband, "she can breathe. You can, right?"

Tatum could only nod and smile.

"See?" Ellen gave her husband a knowing look. "She’s perfectly fine." Alex’s mother gave him a nod. "We’re going upstairs, right?"

Tatum looked between Alex and his mother, smiling at the way Ellen had taken charge.Alex had given her somepreparation for meeting his parents but she really hadn’t expected this.

"We have a reservation upstairs," Alex confirmed.

Nodding, Ellen gave her a smile. "Come, let’s head upstairs, I’ve heard they have the

most amazing desserts."

"Desserts?"

Tatum could feel her heart start to pound in her chest. "I love dessert."

Tatum felt Ellen link their arms together as they started to walk.

"Then you and I," Ellen gave her a wink, "are going to get along just fine."

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