Page 46 of Almost Him

There’s no judgment in his statement or question, only curiosity. “They taught me to distract myself and find new things to do so I could stop obsessing over my heartbreak and work through it. Let’s hope it works for him.”

Our night out with Oliver turns out to be a ton of fun for all of us. I’m not big on video games, but the virtual reality place surprises me. I have a great time playing games, walking through magical forests and fighting off a unicorn. My sides hurt from laughing at Alden and Oliver when they play together. They both end up on the floor after jumping around to make it through some sort of obstacle only they could see. By the end of the night, Oliver is in a much better mood.

He pulls me aside and asks me if I think he should text Breanna.

“You want her back? Get your shit together, show her you aren’t drinking, and apologize for how you treated her. Be honest with her about how you’re feeling. I know you think no one understands, but at least give her a chance to try.”

Over the next few weeks, Oliver follows my advice. Alden fills me in on him often, and I know he’s proud of the way he’s turning things around. He’s sober, working hard, and back with Breanna.

Better than all that, he seems to be happy.

CHAPTER10

“You miss him already,” Tori accuses, throwing a piece of popcorn at me. “You’re hopeless.”

“Uh-huh, like you don’t spend all your time with Paul. What time is he coming over tonight?”

“He gets off work at ten.” She grins over at me.

“We’re both hopeless.” Happy is what we are.

It’s been two years. Two years of days spent growing my photography business, and nights and weekends spent falling hopelessly irretrievably in love with Alden Stokes.

Sometimes, it’s almost scary how wonderful things are going. I have more clients than I can handle, and I’m always booked out months ahead of time. Just last week, I was able to quit working for the real estate company. Soon, I’ll make arrangements to pay Alden back for the building, no matter how much he balks at the idea.

Alden and Oliver’s business is booming as well. True to his promise, once Alden saw Oliver had gotten his drinking under control, he made sure they both owned an equal piece of Stokes Brothers Custom Cycles. They’ve had their disagreements and squabbles but it’s obvious they adore working together. Every now and then I think how proud their mom would be of the way they ended up. Especially Alden, since it seemed prison was a possible future for him when he was young.

“When is Alden due back?”

“Tomorrow. I told him I’d come by after work.” Alden has been gone for two days with Smith, one the guys on his work crew. There was a big expo a couple of states away and they went to meet with some vendors. It’s the longest we’ve been apart since we got together, and I miss the hell out of him.

Tori lounges on the couch, eating popcorn, with a movie playing on the tv that neither of us has looked at twice. “I need to tell you something.” She glances over at me. “Paul asked me to move in with him. I said yes.”

“That’s great! Congratulations.”

She beams and sits up, setting her bowl aside. “I’m excited but I’ll miss living with you.”

“Me too. He doesn’t live far, does he?”

“Nope, down near the racetrack.”

I move from my chair to the couch to give her a hug. “Just make sure the bed is big enough for three because I’m coming to visit all the time.”

Laughing, she hugs me back. “The lease is up here in a few months. You’ll have to decide whether to take it over or move.”

Right. I forgot it was in her name. I can afford the rent alone if I need to so that isn’t a concern, but maybe it’s time for Alden and I to take the next step too. Would he want to move in with me and give up his place above the shop? We stay every night together, alternating between his place and mine, and have for the past two years. I’m absolutely ready to live together.

“Are you okay?” Tori asks.

“I’m good. I was thinking. I want to ask Alden to move in with me.”

She tilts her head. “You don’t sound thrilled at the prospect.”

“I’m not sure what he’ll say.”

“Psh. That man worships you. He’d live in a portable toilet on festival grounds if you asked him to.”

“Gross!” I shove her, and we laugh. “I’ll ask him when he gets back.”

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