Page 108 of Perfect
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23
“ALLIE!!!” Miles collides with Alex’s shins and beams up at her.
“Hi, buddy!” He pulls her into the house, chattering at her. She looks back over her shoulder and smiles at me, but it’s not a real smile. She’s been pissy all day, and me hiding all the alcohol in the house didn’t help.
I’m such a fucking idiot. I should have remembered those photos of her, perfectly made up, obviously unhappy, holding a perfect-looking, gigantic turkey. She was probably expected to do that and hated it, but I don’t think that’s enough to make her react the way she did yesterday.
She looked genuinely panicked when she saw the food in the kitchen.
I trail in after Alex and Miles into Bailey’s frenetic, cramped dining room. Dylan, Catherine, Suzie, a small blonde woman in a bright pink pantsuit, a couple dressed vaguely the same, and a tall woman who looks like the female version of Dylan are all crammed around the table loaded with Ethiopian food. Catherine watches Alex and I enter together with a surprised expression, and I start to feel antsy at the idea of socializing with all of these people.
Fuck, Ireallywanted it to be just Alex and I for our first Thanksgiving. I wanted to cook together, fuck in the kitchen, eat a ton of food, and fall asleep on the couch. That would have been perfect.
This will be fine.
A slightly drunken Bailey flags me down immediately and sits me next to her, asking me questions that get progressively more invasive. Catherine and Suzie watch from nearby with amused interest, but neither intervene. Alex sits across from me next to Miles, ripping off pieces of the sour flatbread and eating tiny bites of the food with her hands. She either doesn’t like it or is too anxious to be hungry, and after tasting it, I decide it’s the latter. She drinks alotof wine and avoids looking at me anytime she pours another glass.
Bailey is boisterous, funny, and fairly engaging, but I have difficulty focusing on her because I keep looking over at Alex and Miles. It’s hard not to get distracted by how focused she is on him, how sweet she is to him, and howsillyshe can be with him. I’ve watched them together before, but seeing them interact in person is different. Seeing it up close, I can so easily picture what a family with her would look like, and I realize that I fuckingyearnto have that with her.
“You better wipe that look off your face before she sees you,” Bailey whispers, and I jerk slightly, realizing that she’s beenwatching me watch Alex and Miles. I run my hands through my hair and smile at her sheepishly.
“Thanks. I don’t think that would go over well,” I say, forcing a laugh.
Bailey snorts. “Notyet, maybe. Give it time,” she whispers, winking at me.
I’ve never liked anyone as much as I like Bailey at that moment, so I smile at her broadly, trying hard to focus on her.
“Bailey, this food is delicious. Did you put together the berbere mix yourself?” Her face lights up at the question and she gasps, nodding emphatically.
“I did, actually! You’re the only person who noticed.”
“It’s extremely well balanced. This is honestly the best Doro Wat I’ve ever had.”
Her grin is loose and tipsy and approving. “Oh, I likeyou. Alex, Ilikehim,” Bailey says loudly enough to get Alex’s attention. She looks up from Miles and smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
***
Alex, for the most part, continues to ignore everyone but Miles. I leave her alone because it’s the first time she’s seemed relaxed since yesterday, and I want her to have a good day, but I wish she’d talk to me. I end up talking to Catherine instead, who gives me a somewhat scrutinizing look.
“So,you’rethe mystery boyfriend. I should have guessed.” I smile at her, shrugging. “How long have you two been dating?”
“It’s new, and we’re taking it slowly.” Catherine looks over at Alex thoughtfully.
“That’s probably for the best. And she knows…?” Catherine’s always been kind to me, and I love that she cares about Alex, soI try not to get defensive when I hear the suspicious tone in her voice.
“Yeah, she does. All of it.” Most of it, anyway. Catherine’s eyebrows raise slightly.
“Well, good. I’m surprised she’s so understanding, to be honest, because of -” Catherine cuts herself off with a grimace, apparently realizing I might not know much about Alex’s past.
“She doesn’t like to talk about it,” I say quietly, “but I think it’s justified that she’s hiding. I assume you know about it to some extent.” She shakes her head.
“We don’t know anything besides the fact that she’s hiding. The three of us worry about her, Suzie especially. Alex is reserved and always says she’s fine, but she still seems fragile.”
I look over at Alex and consider what Catherine’s saying. Alex is sensitive, she’s got a lot of fucking issues, she cries at pretty much everything, and she’s been emotionally all over the place since we met, but I’ve never thought of her asfragile.
“She’s not, Catherine. She’s really not.” Catherine looks at Alex, contemplating her as she and Miles sit on the couch, coloring.
“I hope you’re right.” She looks back over at me, her mouth tightening. “So, whatareyour intentions with her, exactly?” I grin down at Catherine before glancing back at Alex and Miles.
