The next day, I got up and threw on some jeans and my work shirt. It didn’t take long to walk to work. I got there, and it was busy. There were people everywhere. I was surprised because we were usually slow on weekends. I started to help the other barista, and I heard my name. I looked up, and there he was.
“Ella, what are you doing here?” he asked.
“I work here now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that. Can we talk?”
“Not right now. We are very busy, and I can’t afford to lose my job. Later?”
“I can come back when you get off if you want and walk you home?”
“That would be fine. I get off at six.” I couldn’t help but stare. I didn’t expect to see him today. I was caught off guard. Maybe we could work this out. For the rest of my shift, I contemplated what I was going to say to Alexander.
It started to slow down about five o’clock. That was good for me because I could start to do the closing checklist early which meant I would get out of there on time. I mopped the floors, cleaned the coffee makers, did the dishes, and then locked up. I knew Alexander would be outside waiting to walk me home.
I made my way outside and saw Alexander.
“Hey, Ella. How was work?”
“Not so bad.”
We started walking toward my house in silence.
“I just want you to know that I couldn’t tell you. We wanted to keep an eye on the hotel and make sure management was doing their job. I’m so sorry that I didn’t tell you.”
“I figured. I was just hurt that I had to find out that way. I felt betrayed, but after thinking about it more, I know that you would have told me if you could.”
“Does this mean that you aren’t mad at me anymore?”
“No, I’ve missed you.”
Finally, we were going to get back to ourselves. I missed Alexander so much. I threw my arms around his neck and pecked his cheek. I just wanted to hug him tight and feel his warm body against mine.
Standing on my doorstep, he pulled my face up by my chin and kissed me. I didn’t want to stop. I opened the door and kissed him while we made our way toward the bedroom. I needed him.
“Babe...”
“Stop talking,” I said.
It didn’t take long for him to take the hint and start undressing too. I sat on the bed and told him to come to me. I pulled him on top of me and kissed him some more. It had been a while since I’d been able to enjoy him. I didn’t want to waste any more time.
“I love you,” I said as we started to make love.
Afterward, I cuddled up to his chest and kissed him.
“Believe it or not, I was always in your life even when you didn’t want me to be,” he said.
“I know you will always be there for me no matter what. I couldn’t ask for a better man to be in my life. I love you, baby.”
We lay in each other’s arms, just enjoying being next to each other. It’d been so long since I’d touched him. I never wanted to leave him again.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
ALEXANDER
I woke early and noticed that my phone had a couple missed calls from Shawn. I called him back to make sure everything was okay at the office.
“Hey man, everything okay?”