Tied Together (The Cade Siblings Duology #1)

19. Alex

CHAPTER 19

Alex

I had a minor lapse in judgment and almost told her she looks pretty when she sleeps. Thankfully, I remembered myself and kept walking.

When I first discovered she had fallen asleep, I sat there watching her breathe for probably longer than was acceptable. She just looked so peaceful, like she did on the plane hours earlier. She looked like she felt safe and at ease. I would do anything to see her looking like that all the time.

It’s already been difficult to be near her and not treat her like she’s more than a friend, but I am desperately trying to. I don’t want to cross a line she isn’t willing to cross with me.

I walk through the insanely large house and head to the living room where the two teal couches sit facing one another. I was absolutely shocked when we walked into this place. I assumed Impress would set us up nicely, but I wasn’t expecting anything close to this.

I grab the copy of Impress Europe off of the coffee table and start flipping through it. I like their style. It’s pretty similar to the US version, because it has to be, but it has its own flair. The magazines are sisters, not twins, Heather told us in one of our debrief meetings before coming here.

We know very little about what we are walking into on Monday besides the fact that there is little staff and high tension. I’m feeling nervous about the whole thing, but Lana seems okay for the most part.

I glance down, checking to be sure that we leave with enough time to catch the first lighting of the night. Our flat is a short walk to the Eiffel Tower and, if my research is correct, the first sparkle should be in about an hour. The high today is around 30℉ and since we’ve arrived the storm has picked up and snow has covered the ground in a thin layer, turning everything white.

I chose some dark jeans and a knit sweater with boots and a heavy coat. It’s not exactly the best weather to picnic on the Champ de Mars in front of the tower, but I know Lana wants to sit out there for a little while, so I grabbed some warming packets for her hands and to slip into our boots.

While I wait, I decide to call and update my mom. She and I talk on a pretty regular schedule and she was so excited to hear about this trip. I wish I could’ve brought her with me, but maybe one day I’ll bring her back.

“Hi, sweetie.” Her cheerful voice makes me smile and sends a pang of longing through my chest.

“Hi, Momma. How’s your day going?”

“Pretty good so far. Are you settled in your new place? How is it?”

“It’s absolutely gorgeous. You would love it.”

“FaceTime me so I can see.”

I hear the chime of the FaceTime ring and pull my phone away from my ear to accept. Her kind face and warm eyes meet mine and I wish I could reach through the phone and hug her.

“Well, it looks gorgeous and I can only see the ceiling. Turn me around and give me a tour.”

I do as she asks, starting from the front door and making my way through the entire flat. I don’t show her Alana’s room, but I do show her the door.

“And how are things going with your coworker?” She says the word like it’s a joke, and I quickly turn the volume down.

“Things are good, Mom. Our flight was a bit bumpy,” I say in an effort to change the subject.

“Really? I hate it when there’s turbulence. Really shakes you up.”

“It didn’t last very long, but it was pretty rough for a little while.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. What plans do you have for the rest of the day?”

I hear Alana’s door open and her feet begin to shuffle down the hallway.

“I can’t say right now, it’s a secret and Alana is on her way out here. I’ll send you pictures, though.”

“You better, or else I’ll get real mad. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I hang up just as she waltzes into the room and I have to remind myself not to stare. She’s got on black leggings that must be fleece lined—otherwise she’s going to freeze—and she’s bundled up in a light pink sweater and a beige coat.

The top half of her hair is pulled back into a hair tie with her bangs messy and hanging near her eyebrows. She’s wearing a knit hat on her head that matches the color of her coat and she looks absolutely adorable. She pulls her mittens out of her coat pocket and throws them at my head.

“No staring. Let’s go.”

“Sorry,” I mutter, grabbing her mittens off of the floor and chasing after her. “I grabbed a few of these for you. You can put them in your pockets and boots to keep your hands and feet warm. Here,” I kneel down and grab one of her feet and prop it on my knee. She startles, not expecting me to make contact or kneel in front of her, I guess, but I keep moving like I didn’t notice.

I shake the warming packets and then slip them in between her calf and her boots, then I do the same with the other leg. I stand back up and meet her wide eyes.

“Th-thanks,” she stutters, and I pretend not to notice her flushed cheeks.

“Sure. Let’s get going or we’ll miss it.” We head out of the flat and into the elevator. The tension in the air between us is thick and I fight the instinct to pull her close to me as we ride down. We get to the lobby and I wave to Albert as we pass. Sucking in a deep breath, we step out into the chilly air. I glance over, my eyes immediately finding hers, and see the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face. It brings out my own.

“What?” she asks me.

“Nothing. I just like it when you smile.”

“Oh,” she says, looking down at the ground to hide her blush.

I nudge her shoulder with mine and continue walking, leading her around the building to the other side. As we round the corner, the Eiffel Tower comes into view and it’s absolutely breathtaking.

“Wow,” Lana breathes as she stops, frozen in place.

“I know, it’s beautiful. I thought we could watch the first sparkle happen, which should be soon, and then grab a bite to eat somewhere close where we can watch.”

“That sounds perfect.”