Chapter 22
Alana’s Po
I stined, gradually becoming ancate of the warm embrace of sunlight washing teen my skin. A soft yawn escaped my lips as I stretched my arms above me, then rolled onto my right side,
interiorally souggling to Alec. His sont enveloped me, and I may basked in it before a rush of awareness swept over me. What were we doing sharing a bed? Panic set in with a pounding headache threatening to split my skill in fees, 1 strained to recollect the events of the previous night. My memories flooded back, and 1 carefully extricated myself from alec’s at Glacing an him, I found him still deeply asleep, his long lashes delicately resting on his skin. One of his hands lay over mine, which was gently positioned on his chest. I could ter the passing chythes of his heartbeat beneath my palm. The sight was undeniably intimate, and I couldn’t help but appreciate how considerate he had been, removing my shoes eatinees, and hair clip, all meath placed on my nightstand
Pamm. Alec was proving to be incredibly thoughtfel 1 seleased a resigned sigh, cautiously rising from the bed My phome displayed the time, and I greeted it with another yawn. To my surprise, Tspotted a couple of Adell pill and a glass of water thoughtfully arranged next to my phone. Alec’s attentiveness knew no bounds
As I used the medicine and dipped the water, 1 Teh Alec stirring beside me. I turned to look at him, the name “Caroling” or was a “Kiran” fitting through my thoughts. Hastly, I reached for my phone, attempting an online search for “Klxan Siring.” Yet, mellorts proved fruitless. Frustration welled up within me, and I texted Trabel, who responded with a photo timestamped at 6:40 AM, showcasing bet dressed andon het way to work. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was sale. I messaged her back to inform her that I was finally awake.
As I was about to net my phone aside, the correct name, “Killian,” suddenly came to mind. I promptly Initiated a search for “Killian Sterling‘ on social media, only to discover that his account was private. Annoyed, i trist a follow request, realizing that he was already following us. He had liked all my posts featuring Alec Glancing at his follower count, I observed that be followed fewer than 150 people and bad 101tollowers. Perhaps I could become the voted, granting me the opportunity to discreetly investigate Aler
Met’s deep and somewhat pull valve snapped me from my thoughts. “You’re
calie?” Ne inquired
“Mhm,” I replied, hurriedly powering oft my phone and dusting my attention to him. “Why are you in my bed?“.
“You practically begged me to stay with you,” Alec yanned. I recalled the world memory of our interactions from last night, Sexing Alec in casual attire stirred feelings Thadn’t Even new, in a simple T–shirt and jogging pass, his disheveled hair added to his allure. My fingers itched to run through those tousled locks.
anticipated.
“Whatever,” I mumbled, abruptly leaping out of bed. With just an hour before I needed to be at the office, I contemplated slapping baklast to save time. My thoughts then drifted to Alec.”
Alec checked the time and let out a muttered curse. “I’ll make up for it by welding overtime,
oplice instead.” I tiered, secretly
“To make up for last night, I’ll treat you to lunch. You can pick the place, but the chance my moms might join as, so I can have it delivered to your workplace! hoping to obtam Alec’s work location
“actuath, I’d love to meet your mom again and get to know her better,” Alec decided, foiling my initial plans.
“Grmat. 1’0) go get ready for work then, I hurriedly replied before using to the bathroom:
When my shower and dressing up for work, I noticed that Alec had made the bed, it was almost too good to be true I descended the stairs and spotted a brown paper bag on the table near my cat karys, accoltipanied by a note that cead “Don’t dip breakfast; it’s important too” I grabbed the bag, looking up the stairs. I wanted to thank him, but he was already in the shower. I settled no the cat and sent hum a temple “thank you” tem. Perhaps having lunch with my mum was a good idea, she’d see how Aber was too good to be trot and likely advise me to distance myself tigen him, even though I found mysell growing closer to him every day.
1
arrived at work right on time, and even though I was the boss, I still adhered to the same rules had set for my employees. Work proceeded as usual, except for the fact that I managed to more inventors for the movie. Finally, it was time for lunch, and I found myself running a bit late. When I arrived at the restaurant, 1 spotted my mother and Alec sirting at a table, lin convni sation and sharing hearty laughter. What on earth?
you finally made it,” Mom greeted me with a warm smile as Ale stood to pull out a chait for me.
Shells, Mor. What were you guys talking about
inquired.
“Not much, really. He was telling me about himself. I had no idea he loved mystery books as much as I do, I think this guy might have more books than me,” Mom said, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she looked at Alec 1 ruuldn’t believe it. Throughout my life, she had been suspicious of every single one of my friends, with the exception of tabel And now, all of a
eti, she was warming up to Ader?
“Tut i imposible,” 1 declared, fully aware that had seen both their collections of books,
“Have you seen my collection? Mayle in my room?” Alec questioned, raising an eyebrow, while I tried to maintain a poker face,
“Uh, no,” Thied “I just placant that thy dad has this sile room dedicated to Mom and her book, so I figured you can’t beat that,” I pointed out.
Alec sounded genuinely surprised, which was fitting because it was indeed a vast room filled with countless books, enough to qualify as a mini–library.
*Mhans. When I was prepare with Alana, I had some health issues, sol was confined to the house mist of the time. That upset me because I loved going to the library and bookstores. So, your
I brought the blaary Joine, Moxiexplained as she perused the meta, occasionally glancing between Alee and me with a smile,
sjrally samet ul kim,” Alerariponded
dways been that way think we should schedule a family due to you can get to know him properly,” Man saggested, and couldn’t help but smith. There was no way Alec would be
sume” Alara charm serined inexhaust
“It certainly rkan Mas Jordan,” Alec replied uncothly.
“What about walk, Alert What if you live in fly out sang? My dad doesn’t like it when plans get canceled,” I polated out, trying to bint that he should reconsider.
Trumanam non, but don’t worry, I take time did eiled,” Mer assured with a casual shrug.
Daniel often sinuggled with that “where is it that you work, dec
Valu ray,” Mon lanamad wolybeli
alapped it when people made for family, and it was a secret that Da Land this time Aler coulda’t sidestep the queutka
work ata pesullaney. My main rode Infomation to salily her na baity without teredding boomed
to analyer avert data and negotiate deals on that veryone involved gets the
pets the best possible out,” Alec explained, providing Just enough
“Oh, Bursinerelle,” Moen munseled
While they confined their comeration, Iscretly checked my phone and noticed a
the type of friend who posted updates absajt hit li lends regularly so fondlammor about Aler Hugh his posts
call that Killian had accepted any intendiequest. A small victory, Now, I hoped that Killian was
