Page 77 of Awaiting

“I think it just waits until the departure time, dear,” Bexley’s grandmother said. “Are you worried about being late for your flight?”

“No, Grandma. We have a private plane,” Bexley said.

“Where did you get the money to afford a private plane, Bexley?”

“It’s Alex’s plane,” Bexley explained.

“You have a private plane?”

“I do, yes,” Alex said, realizing the woman might have forgotten who she was. “My family does.”

“What is it you do that you can afford a plane?”

“Grandma, I was thinking maybe I could come back for dinner tonight,” Stan interjected to change the subject. “You eat early enough for me to join you and then get to work after.”

Alex nodded at him and looked down, realizing her hand was still on Bexley’s shoulder. She let go, said a quick goodbye to Bexley’s grandmother, and walked out to the hallway.

“Bexley, your girlfriend is beautiful. I forget, how long have you two been together?”

Alex heard that, closed her eyes for a moment, opened them, and kept walking until she was in the hallway. She didn’t need to talk to security about the plane. It would be ready, as it always was, whenever she needed it. She’d just wanted to give the three of them time to say goodbye before they had to head back to Kleinland. Alex knew Bexley was worried about her grandmother. She was even prepared to offer her the plane whenever Bexley needed to return if she’d like, to help make her worry less. After last night, though, Alex wasn’t sure what her place was with Bexley.

She’d told her how she felt, at least enough to let Bexley know she was serious. Now, Bexley needed time. Alex understood that but wished that weren’t the case. They could have had their first kiss last night. She could have fallen asleep next to Bexley and woken her up with a cup of coffee and another kiss this morning. Instead, Alex had gone to bed alone and hadn’t gotten any sleep at all, wondering if Bexley was trying to figure out how to let her down easily or consider what could be for them.

“Hey,” Stan said, closing the apartment door behind him.

“Oh, hi,” she replied.

“Can I talk to you without being swarmed by guards?”

“Of course,” she said, smiling at him.

“Are you for real?” he asked.

“Sorry?”

“With Bexley, are you for real?”

“I don’t…”

“She called me last night after your little confession.”

“Oh,” Alex said.

“You told her you wanted her.”

“Well, that’s slightly taken out of context,” she replied.

“Your Highness?” a guard checked, approaching at her right.

“It’s all right,” she replied. “Can we go into the dining room? It’s empty.”

“Of course, Ma’am.”

Alex nodded for Stan to walk down the short hall and into the dining room.

“Bexley is special,” Stan told her.

“I know that.”

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