Page 156 of This Life of Mine

I draw myself closer.

“But I also know what it feels like to live half-alive because you’re too cautious to choose something real.”

His jaw tightens, and I watch the lump in his throat bob. I see emotion sitting at the edge of his storming eyes.

I reach for his hands, lacing my fingers through his.

“As long as we face things together,” I tell him, steady and sure, “I’m in. Fully.”

He stares at me, and then a smirk begins to form. He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips to kiss.

“Since we are on the topic of honesty,” he says.

Curiosity peeks as I wait for what he’s about to profess.

“Last night,” he continues. “While you were asleep. Your phone was on the nightstand, and it lit up with a message.”

My brow creases slightly. “Okay…”

“It was a text,” he says. “From EJ.”

My expression doesn’t harden. If anything, it softens—I have a pretty good idea of where this is going.

“I didn’t go digging,” he adds. “But his name popped up. And the message wasn’t…subtle.”

He pauses. “I replied on your behalf.”

“You did?”

“Yes,” he confirms. “I simply told him you weren’t interested anymore.”

There’s a beat.

I reach for my phone, unlock it, and scroll to find the message.

I laugh out loud. “Oh my God,” I exclaim, my chest bouncing with laughter. “You were actually very respectful.”

He lets out the breath he was holding. “You’re not mad?”

I stare at Alex.

“No,” I say honestly. “I’m not.”

I set the phone down. “After everything I’ve learned about EJ…whatever curiosity I ever had is gone. Completely.”

I hold his gaze and something shifts in his chest.

“I was worried I crossed a line,” he admits. “I didn’t want to decide anything for you.”

I study him for a second longer, letting the truth of it all settle in my chest.

“I appreciate your honesty,” I say quietly.

I glance down at my phone, then back up at him.

“You set a boundary without drama. Nice work.” I laugh.

“You also said out loud what I’ve been hoping to hear from you. That we are together.” I say, smiling.