Page 43 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

“I didn’t know how often he powered you down,” she said, sounding sadder than Elliot had ever heard her. “But I can’t allow you to run away. We have a duty to our patrons, and if word were to get around that I was smuggling beaus out of their homes, I’d lose any and all credibility. Our home would go out of business.”

“Maybe it should,” Elliot whispered, too scared to say the words much louder. “If the services you provide lead to abuse and trauma, maybe that company shouldn’t be a company any longer.”

Mother swallowed, and Elliot could see her resistance faltering. If he could just show her how much Alexander means to him, he thought, maybe she would change her mind.

“Here’s what I’m willing to do. I’ll allow you to remain as Mr. Davenport’s guest for the rest of the cruise, but once this ship docks, I’ll have to contact Mr. Price. I’m sorry, Elliot, I have no choice. He paid for you. He paid for your child.” She gripped his hand tighter, like she was trying to force her sincerity into him. “I wish there was more I could do, but my hands are tied.”

It was at that moment Elliot knew he would make no further progress with Emily Broussard. She already made up her mind, and she wouldn’t be changing it. He looked up at Alexander with an overwhelming look of loss before pressing his face to Alexander’s chest and quietly sobbing. Other words were exchanged, but Elliot didn’t pay them any mind. He received his answer, and all he could do was try to accept it. Through it all, however, Alexander’s hand slowly stroked Elliot’s back, never giving Elliot the chance to forget he was there. There were gentle kisses placed on his forehead and cheeks. Words of praise whispered into his ear—Alexander telling Elliot how proud he was for speaking his truth—but Elliot didn’t dwell on them. He didn’t take them into himself to save for a rainy day, because every day with Jared Price was a rainy day, so what good would one single, treasured memory be when Elliot would more than likely be reprogrammed, anyway.

Elliot closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he was lying in bed with Alexander, without remembering how they got there. It was dark outside, and Elliot was wearing a pair of pink pajamas, meaning Alexander changed him before tucking them into bed.

Alexander had one hand against Elliot’s cheek and another on his bump.

“Have I been in stasis?”

Alexander shook his head. “You’re overwhelmed. Ms. Broussard said the stress of the baby along with everything else had you going into a sleeplike state. It’s your body’s way of processing.”

“I’ve been overwhelmed many times back home. This hasn’t happened before.”

Alexander nodded. “It’s part of the pregnancy upgrade. When it gets too bad, you black out. That could be why you don’t remember much of what happened before leaving home.”

Memories of his conversation with Mother clouded his vision, and then tears clouded them even more, because there was no way out of it. He would never be free again.

Alexander cupped his cheek. “I’m going to figure this out, baby. I don’t care what we have to do; I’m not letting them take you from me again.

For the next few days, Alexander did everything he could to show Elliot how much he wanted to build a future with him. On Wednesday, the pair took part in a festive round of putt-putt golf. Elliot explained that he’d never played, but he could have had Alexander fooled, because he was a natural. Though the course wasn’t very large, Elliot managed a hole in one each time. They spent their nights lounging on their balcony, ignoring the rest of the passengers and crew. Two days before they were set to dock, Alexander placed a call he would never be able to take back.

“Twylah’s Sugarplum Treats, this is Twylah. How can I make today a sugarplum-perfect day?”

Alexander let out a nervous laugh. “That’s the silliest greeting I’ve ever heard.”

His mother chuckled. “Probably. I’m not very creative outside of the kitchen. I offered to let someone else manage the bakery and handle advertising so I could focus on the actual baking, but he turned me down. Until then, I’m afraid we’re stuck with whatever I can come up with.”

“Heis a little busy running his family’s empire,” Alexander said with a sigh. They’d discussed the topic to death, so there was no point dwelling on it. Alexander had a company to run. Even if he wanted to move to Sugarplum Island and take over the business side of things for his mother, he couldn’t let go of his family’s legacy.

“Yes, well,hedeserves to enjoy his youth whilehe’s still got one. Honestly, Lexy, you’ve got more money than you know what to do with. How much more do you need?”

“It’s not about the money,” he reminded her for the umpteenth time. “It’s about keeping Dad’s and Granddad’s legacies alive.”

“Baby, you are their legacy. Not some silly company. And as far as legacies go, he couldn’t have left the world with a better one. I’m worried about you, sweetie. You don’t have a life or keep friends. You’re just wandering through life like you’re waiting for it to be over. I want to see you happy. I want to know that when I leave this world, I’m leaving you in good hands.”

Alexander stared down at Elliot’s hand, placing his on top and giving it a squeeze. Elliot wouldn’t feel it, Alexander thought, because Elliot had explained when he was in stasis, he was essentially dead to the world while memories replayed like dreams, keeping him company as he charged his weary body.

Alexander swallowed. “That’s actually why I’m calling.”

“Oh, Lexy. Tell me you’ve found someone. I’ve waited so long for you to find your match.”

Alexander smiled at his sleeping friend, reaching for his face long enough to brush a stray strand of hair from his eyes. “I think I have, actually. I think I’ve found the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.” Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to Elliot’s forehead. “It’s Elliot.”

“Ohh,” Twylah cooed, and Alexander could feel her smile radiating all the way in Texas. “You finally found him?”

“Actually, he found me. It turns out he saw my picture on one of the brochures, and he stowed away, hoping to find me. He’s an automaton. He’s one of Ms. Broussard’s bountiful beaus.”

To his surprise, Twylah squealed with joy. “Oh, that’s fabulous, sweetie! I knew talking you into going on that cruise was the best idea. I know you have a troubled history with automatons, especially after everything with Goose and Duck, but Elliot was such a sweet soul when we met him. He’s perfect for you. Why don’t you bring him here before you go back into work mode? I’ll bake more of the plum jam cookies he loved so much.”

“I wish it was that simple. Elliot is engaged. Before he got here, his fiancé used to hurt him. Physically.”

“That’s horrible,” Twylah said, her voice coated in contempt. “I knew something was going on with his partner. There’s nothing worse than an abuser.”

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