Tied Together (The Cade Siblings Duology #1)

52. Alana

CHAPTER 52

Alana

Alex did what I asked and hasn’t texted or called. While I appreciate him being respectful, I also miss him. It hasn’t even been more than a few hours and I miss him.

Charlie and I watched a movie and ate dinner. It lifted my spirits, and I was feeling so much better by the time I left. He told me he’d stay in the hotel room tonight and come meet us in the morning, that way we’d have some time to talk.

I’m sitting in the back of the car now, and I’m sure Marco is just itching for all of the juicy details of what went down tonight, considering he’s been carting all of us all around town today. We arrive at the building and butterflies are swarming in my stomach. I don’t know why I’m nervous.

I make my way up to our door and push inside. Alex stands abruptly from the couch and rushes to me, wrapping me in his arms and kissing all over my face. It’s like he’s trying to prove to himself that I’m real, that I’m actually here and this isn’t a figment of his imagination.

I’m wearing my pajamas, something Maura pointed out as I passed her desk on my way in, and he notices a few seconds later.

“What are you doing here? I missed you. These look great on you. Can we talk?” He’s frantic and I feel bad. I know my leaving might not have been the best reaction, but it felt like the only thing I could do in the moment and I know he’ll understand that.

“I’m sorry I left.”

“No, don’t be sorry. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

He leads me into the living room where he mutes the TV and we sit down side by side on the couch. He immediately changes our position, pulling me to sit on his lap and face him. It’s like he can’t get me close enough. The feeling is mutual.

“Can you tell me about that email?” I ask in a voice smaller than I’d like.

“Absolutely. I’m so sorry you saw that and I wasn’t here to explain it to you.” He hesitates, playing with the hem of my pajama shirt and not meeting my eyes. “They offered me the managing editor position here, at Impress Europe . Heather just called me about it, probably around the same time she called you.”

I let that sink in. My instinct is to think he’s going to leave me, but I rein that in and make an effort to stay present. Even if he decided to take the promotion, I know I want what’s best for him, so if he did leave we could make it work if we had to.

“Are you going to take it? I wouldn’t stop you if you wanted to. That would be an incredible career move for you.” Even as I say the words, tears threaten to fall. I am so excited for him, but I’m also incredibly sad. Long distance would be extremely tough and I’m not even sure I’d want to do that, but if he wanted to try, I would do it.

“No, Lanie, I don’t want to take it.”

“Are you sure? I would support you, you know I would.”

He brings my hands to his mouth and kisses them, a sweet gesture full of appreciation. “I absolutely know you would, but I like my job. I don’t want it to change, even if that means a better title and a higher salary. Plus there’s no way I’m leaving you now that I’ve got you.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Can’t get rid of me that easily. Plus, I have to be around to watch your rise to power. Managing Director Alana Cade has a nice ring to it.”

I feel heat rise to my cheeks and lean forward, burying my face in his neck and snuggling into him.

“I’m sorry I kept it from you,” he whispers into my hair. “You were so happy about your promotion when you got home and it didn’t feel like the right time to say something. I didn’t want to ruin the moment.”

“I understand why you waited, but I also wish you would’ve told me.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.”

I pull back and he kisses me. It’s so passionate, like he’s pouring all of his emotion into it. I can feel his gratitude, his love, his pride. It warms me up from the inside out and I hope we never lose this feeling.

He pulls back and stares lovingly into my eyes, and I can see our entire future right there in those beautiful green eyes. A home we’ll share, walks to work together, cooking dinner on a weeknight, little babies running around, Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, the whole nine yards. I can picture it all with this man.

“I love you.” I don’t think, I just say it. I don’t give it a ton of thought or work out the ways he might respond. I don’t fret over whether he’ll reject me or if he won’t return the sentiment. I know he will because I know him. I know every bit of his heart and he’s taken the time to know mine.

“Say it again,” he demands before kissing me passionately.

“I love you.” I kiss him again. “I love you.” And again. “I love you.”

He smiles at me, his eyes warm and his face soft.

“I love you, Lanie. I’ve loved you for longer than I think I even realized. I’m all tied up in you,” he says as he reaches back and tugs on the ribbon in my hair.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”