Page 86 of Twenty Years Later

"What did you just say? You're actually going to move up here?" I somehow managed to ask even though my heart was lodged in my throat.

He smiled at me, those brown eyes locked onto mine. "That's my plan. I want to be with you, Jayda."

I could barely breathe through my shock. My heart didn't even know what to do. It was beating right out of my chest.

"But I still have one concern," Alex said, his serious tone of voice capturing all of my attention.

I held my breath, waiting to see what he'd say.

"Are you ready to move on from that promise you made to Blake?"

That one question revealed so much about Alex, that he would even think about that, and I knew in my heart, in that moment, I was completely ready to love again, to live a full life once more, and give all of my heart to Alex.

I would never forget Blake. After all, he was the biological father to Audrey. It was more than that, however. He was a part of my history. But I realized I could find a way to honor both of these men, honor the past, honor Blake, while forging ahead with a new life... with Alex.

Looking back up into his eyes, I said, "I am."

"You really are?"

I nodded, all the emotions inside me bubbling to the surface and making my eyes fill up once again.

He embraced me tight against him. "Thank God," he said, releasing a breath that tickled the top of my head.

I still couldn't believe it. Alex was moving here. Like really moving here to be with me... or us... or his baby growing inside me.

"Alex, can I ask you a question, though?"

"What's that, sweetheart?" he said, his lips moving against my hair.

"Do you..." Ugh, how could I even ask this question? Did I reallyneedto ask this question?

"Do I what?" His arms relaxed around me, and he slowly pulled away till our eyes met.

I sighed. Yes, I did need to ask—just this once—because I really wanted to know the answer, really wanted to see what he'd say. Staring into that incredibly handsome face, I finally asked, "Do you just want to be with me because I'm pregnant?"

He surprised me by smiling. "Are you kidding me right now?"

His own question confused me to no end. "Um, no. I'm definitely not kidding. I'd like to know."

"Jayda, Jayda, Jayda," he said, shaking his head, still grinning. "You do remember I've wanted you since high school, right?"

The light of amusement in his eyes made me smile. "Yeah, I guess."

He had a point, but I wanted the words.Thewords. And I wondered if I should just say them myself first. But my fear held me back.

"You guess?" Alex's face turned serious again. "You have no idea how much I—"

The shrill sound of my phone alarm startled us and interrupted whatever he was about to say.

"Oh, sorry. It's time to get Audrey," I said, grateful that I'd set a recurring alarm since that one afternoon when I'd fallen asleep and almost missed pick-up time.

As I started to move away, Alex grabbed my arm. "Wait."

I glanced up into his eyes. "What is it?"

"Tonight. You are all mine."

Holy cow. The intense way he said that made me a quivering mess, and I could hardly wait to be alone with him again.

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