We never usually have big plans for Saturday night. We're all mostly past the point of clubbing until three in the morning, unless we're celebrating something like Alex's job. Except Alex isn't here, he hasn't responded to my text messages so he must be busy.

I can't just assume I'm the only person who knows him in this town. He could have made other friends or acquaintances, he is starting his new job on Monday morning and I'm thrilled for him.

Troy, Demi and Mason all make their way over to my apartment, nothing more than a couple of beers and pizza to get through our week. Even Mason is in a good mood considering his week has been stressful.

"Where's Luca?" I ask Demi, taking another slice of pepperoni pizza from the box.

Her eyes float across the room from the TV to find mine. "He's out on his date with Alex."

I almost choke when bite down into the soft cheese and greasy sauce. My eyes widen for a brief second before stabilising myself. He actually asked him on a date? And Alex said yes.

Once I've swallowed down my pizza and lowered the slice, Demi continues to stare at me. "Oh," I say slowly. I don't understand why I feel so deflated. "That's cool."

Demi beams back at me and hugs her knees to her chest. "Isn't it? I really hope Alex is the one for Luca, he's been searching far and wide only to be met with rejection or absolute freaks. And Alex is nice, so kind. Maybe he can tame Luca once and for all."

Her words begin to sit funny with me. A new emotion washes over my body and for some reason I have no idea how to control it. Is it because I know how crazy and unsettled Luca can be? He might disrupt Alex's grieving process and I want Alex to think about himself and his own journey.

I am worried about him. I've been worried about him since he came to me that day in town. I haven't stopped thinking about him since, even when I tried not to. Then when he showed up at my apartment building, living down the corridor, something sparked in my brain.

Was that meant to happen?

"Na," Mason waves his hand across his face and I bring my attention to him. "Luca won't be able to hold him down. He's going to become too obsessed, overbearing and push Alex away like he has to everyone else."

Demi frowns. "Way to shit on your own friends, Mase."

He huffs out a sigh. "But it's true. Alex is a bit too boring for him anyway."

"Shut the fuck up, Mason," the words fly from my mouth before I even consider what I'm saying. He stares back at me with his dark eyes, even Troy and Demi have turned their attention to me completely. "Alex is my friend. Luca is also our friend. You don't have to be a fucking dick about them."

The room is silent for a few moments but I don't tear my eyes away from his.

Alex might be quiet and reserved but that doesn't make him boring. He's still healing, he's still finding his feet, he's amazing for going through what he did and still waking up with a determination to survive despite his emotions.

"Just speaking the truth," Mason mumbles after a few moments.

I resist the urge to scream at the top of my lungs at him but I know different. "You don't know him," I keep my voice low and stern. "You know nothing about him. And as for Luca, he might become a little obsessive but that's because he wants that affection a partner can offer and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Maybe instead of talking about him behind his back, you should just say absolutely nothing at all."

The air in the room evaporates and I can tell everyone feels like they're on the edge of a knife but I won't stand for Mason chatting shit about anyone, especially Alex when he's the kindest soul I've met in a long time.

"Okay," Troy sits up from the sofa. "Let's not destroy the evening before it's even begun. Mason, stop chatting shit about our friends. River, don't let his stupid comments get to you. He's clearly deflecting his bad week at work on us again."

I tear my eyes away from Mason before I really lose it.

"Let's focus on your birthday party," Demi clears her throat and I face the TV. "That's next weekend, right?"

"Yeah," I mumble, placing my beer bottle against my lips and taking a big swig

She swings her legs over the sofa and presses her hands to her knees. "Did you invite Alex?"

My eyes widen. Oh crap. I never invited him to my party. "No," I shake my head. "But I will."

"Who's coming?" Troy asks.

"My sister and a couple of her mates, friends from work and uni. It won't be anything massive, just a little gathering," I admit and take down another sip of my beer. "I want it to be quieter this time. Only people I care about, last year got a little out of hand."

Troy snorts and turns to Demi. "Yeah, you could say that again."

Demi holds up her hand and turns away from her boyfriend. "Please don't remind me. That is why I officially stopped drinking. Can't believe it's almost been a year sober."

"Proud of you though," he cups her knee with his large hand.

"You really surprised me," I admit. "I didn't think you were actually never going to drink again."

Demi tilts her head back and laughs. "Do you even remember what happened? If you allowed me to drink again then I can confirm, you would have been bad friends."

"What happened?" Mason slouches in the chair.

This earns him an eye roll from Demi. "We vowed never to mention it again. If you forgot, you forgot. Probably because you were as drunk as I was."

"No I wasn't," he drinks down his beer.

Troy laughs this time. "Bro, I have got some funny stories about you if you don't remember."

"Shut up," he scowls across the room.

"Do you need help organising, setting up?" Demi asks.

I shake my head and glance around my apartment. "This will do, won't it?"

She scoffs instantly. "Absolutely not, it's your birthday and we have to celebrate in style. Even if it's a few decorations, banners, balloons and shot trays. Pin the tail on your behind."

"Excuse me?"

"Come on," she throws her dark hair across her shoulder. "We have to play some games, get the party going. Trust me it'll be fun. You don't have to do anything, I can plan it all."

I turn to look at Troy who shrugs at me. "I wouldn't argue with her, she is the celebration Queen after all. Do you not remember last Halloween?"

"How could I forget," my lips bunch at the side. She went all out with a haunted house vibe, decorations and scary music. She even convinced people to be live actors and scare the living shit out of everyone. It definitely was a night to remember.

"So that's settled," she grabs her phone and begins to tap away at the screen. "Lots of games, decorations and shot glasses for the birthday boy."

"You sure spoil me, Demi," I flash her a soft grin. "Thanks."

"That's what friends are for."

❖ ❖ ❖

On Monday I'm downstairs on the ground floor of my apartment building, it's the afternoon so it's fairly quiet. I've been sorting through my mailbox for far too long, so many letters from the bank, from the electric company, from the government about my vote.

I huff out a breath and fumble with my keys in one hand and shoving a letter into my bag. Footsteps echo down the hall from upstairs and as I shut my mailbox shut, my head turns to find Alex making his way down the set of stairs.

"Hey," I smile at him.

I haven't seen him since our night out last week to celebrate his job.

"Hi," he smiles back but it doesn't quite meet his eyes.

"Good luck with your first day," I take a step closer and glance down at his attire. A black jacket over a pair of stone coloured cargos and trainers. "I know you'll smash it."

Alex's cheeks bleed with a soft pink. "You remembered."

A part of me is offended he thought I would forget. "Of course," I shake my head. "I was going to drop you a message but I thought I'd wait until tonight to ask how it went."

"Oh," his throat clenches for a second. "That's kind of you."

"Which way are you walking?"

Alex points to the left and I offer him another smile. "Me too," I say. "Wanna walk together?"

"Sure," he says and we step onto the street. "Sorry, I'm super nervous."

"It's normal to be nervous," I say honestly. "I remember when I first started my job, I felt sick for days before. But as soon as I got there, I felt at ease instantly."

Alex's shoulders drop a fraction. "Really?"

"Really," I nod. "You'll do amazing. I know so."

He sucks in a breath and focuses on the floor as we walk down the street. "Thanks," he avoids my eyes. "I really needed to hear that today."

I keep my eyes on him but he doesn't meet my gaze. Then I clear my throat and look directly down the road. "So," I say, grabbing his attention. "I heard about your date with Luca."

Alex whips his gaze towards mine suddenly. "Yeah," he scratches the back of his head.

For a few moments I say nothing more. Feeling physically tongue tied because I know that I have to say something but I'm not sure what to say.

I curse myself in my mind and glance at the building beside him. "H-How was it?"

"Yeah, it was fun," he says timidly. I notice how his hands cling together in front of him as we walk. "He's very nice. He wouldn't even let me pay, which I thought was really sweet."

My eyebrows bunch slowly. "Your other dates insist you pay?"

Alex's face burns bright red at this point and I find myself frowning deeply. I pray no one has taken advantage of his kindness. "No," he shakes his head and I pull back slowly.

"Oh," I say quietly.

Then he turns to look at me, those grey eyes that have somehow become brighter over the course of the last month. "That was the first date I've ever been on."

My heart softens at his words. His first date? Oh God, he's too innocent for his own good.

"Well I'm glad that Luca was a gentleman and paid. I know he wanted to ask you out."

"He did?" Alex's eyes widen.

I hum softly. "Think he's had his eye on you since he first met you," I blurt out.

"Oh, wow," he hides his face from me. I presume this has made him extremely embarrassed but he has nothing to be embarrassed about. It seems like he's not used to having someone interested in him. "I didn't know that."

My teeth chew down on my bottom lip as we walk in silence.

"Do–" I cut myself off but Alex is looking at me now. "Do you like him?"

I peek my gaze towards him and he's blushing furiously. "I don't know," he says. "It's been one date."

"Right, of course."

Now the walk has become strange and weird with this tension I wish I could blow away. I regret bringing it up at all right now. But instead of letting it cloud my thoughts, I straighten my spine a little and clear my throat.

"So, it's my birthday this weekend," I say, changing the subject completely. Alex's brows shoot up. "And I'm having a party. So grant this your official invite."

"A party?"

I nod. "It's just at my apartment. Nothing fancy, a couple friends and some beers. Demi is adamant we'll play games but I guess we'll see how the night goes."

"Oh, sounds fun," he smiles softly. "I could cook some food for it."

"That's very kind, Alex," I wave my hand. "But you're starting your job this week and honestly, it's okay. Just a birthday party."

Alex tilts his head. "Just a birthday party? It's your birthday party and I want to. You did say once that I should cook you a meal."

I laugh quietly. "I was joking about that."

"But I'm not," he shrugs. "It's your birthday and I'd love to make something for the party. You can't have a party without food and if you get some of those frozen party bags of chips and nuggets from Iceland, then I can officially rule out our friendship."

This time I release a louder chuckle. "Okay, okay," I say with a permanent smile. "I wasn't going to get stuff from Iceland. Maybe from Tesco."

Alex's eyes widen and then he laughs. "Frozen food over freshly made food? If you didn't like my Viennese whirls, then you could have just said."

Oh God. His laugh. It's the most refreshing thing I've ever heard.

"Alex, I loved your baking. I just don't want you to go to all this trouble for me."

"I want to go to all this trouble for you."

His eyes sparkle in my direction and something weird happens in my stomach and then my heart, both flipping and throbbing. I'm sure my heart stops altogether as he smiles back at me.

"Well thank you," my throat bobs for a flash of a second. "I really appreciate it."

Alex turns his attention back to the road and points to the left. "I'm going this way," he says as we come to a stop on the corner of the pavement. Then he sucks in a breath and I press a hand to his shoulder.

"You've got this," I tell him and he nods but I know he's unable to convince himself of it.

"Glad you believe in me."

I draw my hand back. "Of course I do, you can do anything."

Alex inhales deeply and nods. "You need to stop with the praise because soon I'll believe it."

My mouth stretches into a wide grin. "Good, that's what I want. Good luck, text me later to let me know how it went. I'll be waiting for the low down."

"Okay," he takes a slow step backwards. "See you."

"Bye," I wave before he turns around and walks down the opposite street.

I suck in a breath and stare at the back of his head for a few moments. Warmth spreads in my heart and I know for a fact he'll have a great day, cheering him on in my head.

His company soothes me more than anything I've ever experienced with anyone else.

There is something about him and I just can't place my finger on it.

❖ ❖ ❖

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Author's Note

Hello my loves, what did we think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

BRB SCREAMING AT THESE TWO AND HOW CUTE THEY ARE😭🥺💘

Is River a little jealousssss... ooooh

I'm so excited to share River's birthday party with you all!

PS. Iceland is a supermarket in the UK before anyone gets confused lol

Don't forget to leave a vote, it really means the world to me🥰

Love Savanna x

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