Everyone laid low for the following days after my party. Mason was a mess, Troy certainly missed the toilet later in the night whilst Demi had to carry his heavy body to the taxi downstairs. I'm pretty sure me, Alex and Demi were the only ones sober. Even my sister was getting on my nerves.

I cared more for the food. Alex's delicious canapes that went down a treat. I'm still thinking about them now. I can't believe he thought he wasn't all that, he has talent that needs to be recognised. But I know how humble Alex wishes to stay.

When I head down to Chessman's before I'm due at work, I'm desperate for my coffee fix. This week has been hectic and it's only Wednesday, another full day of placements with the youths of this town.

I adore my job but sometimes I find it hard to relax when I'm constantly thinking about it. I never want to let any of the kids or the institutions we work with down, that's the absolute last thing I want. Knowing that we are helping these children with their futures, with inspiration, it's the best part of my job.

"Hey," I call out as I step into the cafe.

Demi is serving a customer and waves at me as Luca makes the drink. "Hey, Riv," Demi smiles when she shuts the till. "How've you been feeling since Saturday?"

"Wasn't even drunk," I admit. "Just there for the vibes."

She grins at me. "Can't believe you didn't get absolutely paralytic at your birthday, I think Troy did that for you."

"Pretty sure my toilet is still clogged," I joke.

Demi grimaces at my words as Luca places the freshly made drink at the end of the counter. Then he turns to me and smiles. "Usual?"

"Of course," I nod and fish out some money from my pocket. "Thanks."

I watch as Demi pulls away from the counter and wipes down a spillage near the sugar and milk section. "So have you heard from Alex?" Luca asks as he makes my coffee.

My eyebrow quirks but I don't look at him. "What do you mean?"

Luca huffs out a deep meaningful sigh. "After our first date, we've been texting a bit. I've been asking for a second date but it just hasn't happened yet and I'm beginning to freak out. Do you think I've done something?"

"Luca," I snap him out of his rambling as those blue eyes float to mine. "He's probably just super busy right now. He's started a new job, he's in a new town, adjusting. Don't be angry at him for figuring his shit out first. He probably gets home exhausted."

He blinks once and then twice. "Oh," he's deflated and I hate seeing him like this. The same way I've seen him plenty of times after being rejected by another guy who isn't his prince. But deep down, I don't think Alex is for him. "Do you think he likes me?"

I huff out a breath through my nose, resisting the urge to pinch the bridge out of frustration. I despise when he speaks about Alex, liking him, and dates. It's all too much and I just want to ignore every part of it. Why am I the one in the middle of this?

"You've had one date," I lower my tone before I upset him. "One date isn't enough to determine whether you really like someone. You shouldn't keep pushing him. He's busy and probably overwhelmed."

Luca's brows crease and he stares at me for a moment too long. "You have been speaking to him."

I pull back slowly. "I haven't been speaking to him about anything. It's clear that he wants to focus on his career and when he wants to go on another date with you, he will let you know."

When he tears his eyes away from me and places a lid on my coffee, he glances down at the counter. "I just really like him," his voice is quiet. "I enjoy his company."

I find myself smiling. Me too.

My fingers slide the money across the counter. "See you later, Luca," I say before taking the warm coffee into my hands. "Thanks. See you, Demi."

"Bye," she waves with the cloth from across the cafe.

I give Luca another supportive smile and he nods in response. I don't even want to think about how many messages Luca has sent Alex, bombarding him with texts asking for another date over and over or suggesting different places to go until Alex can't hack it anymore.

Luca will love hard. That's obvious. But I don't want them together. As selfish as that sounds. I really don't want them together.

❖ ❖ ❖

When I get home late into the evening, I reheat the pasta that I made last night and eat it on the sofa whilst I flick for something entertaining to watch. My eyes land on Lord Of The Rings and it instantly reminds me of Alex.

Though we didn't watch it the other day, we watched Kung Fu Panda instead.

Lord Of The Rings is dedication and once you watch one, you have to watch the rest.

I gobble up my pasta whilst plucking my phone from my pocket and click on my messages, bringing up Alex's chat. For a moment I don't really think, I just want to talk to him. I haven't seen or heard from him since last Saturday when he got upset. I've wanted to drop him a message or knock at his door but I don't want to be in his face continuously.

Now it's headed towards the end of the working week, I think it's acceptable.

River: Is it sad to watch the whole of LOTR by yourself?

I stare back at the words before the three little dots pop up.

Alex: Absolutely not. I've watched it at least seven times.

A deep laugh escapes my chest at the text. I have to admit I've seen it a couple of times but definitely not by myself. I'm more of a movie binger with a friend or my sister when we both used to live at home.

River: Want to make it eight?

I chew on my lip at the message and realise how seductive it sounds. I'm cringing internally hoping that Alex isn't thinking the same, it's very suggestive out of context but within it definitely makes sense... to me.

Alex: I'm a massive nerd and will still give a running commentary.

River: Commentate away. I don't mind.

I'm grinning at this point. Listening to Alex ramble away about fantasy beings, I like listening to him talk in general. He's usually quiet, quieter than my other friends but that's what makes me want to listen even more.

Alex: When?

River: Now. I just finished having dinner.

Alex: I'll be over in ten.

I quickly jump up from the sofa and put away my empty bowl in the dishwasher and tidy up as best as I can. My hand reaches for my lighter and I put on a soft scented candle to get rid of the smell of yesterday's pasta.

Alex knocks on my door before it's been ten minutes but I didn't mind. When I open the door, he's in a navy oversized jumper and tracksuit bottoms. Then I notice his thick white socks and black crocs. I'm smiling instantly. I've never seen him so casual and I love it.

"You're not judging my crocs are you?"

"Not at all," I say as I focus back on his grey eyes. "I like them. A lot."

Alex offers me a smile and I step away, welcoming him in. He walks straight to the sofa, kicks off his crocs and gets comfy. "How was your day?" He asks, pulling his legs into his chest.

I nod and shut the door behind him, walking towards the kitchen to get us some drinks and snacks. "Yeah, it's been very busy but okay. How's work been for you?"

"Good," he says and I believe him. He's not trying to cover up how he truly feels. "Getting the hang of things slowly but surely. William is super kind and everyone there is so kind to me."

My hands juggle two glasses of water and a big bag of crisps tucked under my arm. "As they should be," I say before placing the cups on the coffee table and the crisps onto the sofa. "How have you been since the party?"

Alex chews on his lip at my words. He nods and exhales slowly. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just had that freak out for no reason but again I'm sorry. It was all blown out of proportion and I'm super sensitive when it comes to things like that. It's personal to me and I'd break if I knew anyone found out what happened between us that day in town."

I'm sure I just heard my heart snap in two and the blood splatters across my ribcage. "Alex," I whisper to get his attention. "No one will know unless you decide to tell them. What happened between us, happened between us. It's not my business or my story to tell. And if you ever feel like that, you know I'm here for you. Right?"

He drags his eyes to mine and nods. "I know. Thank you."

The room falls into silence for a few moments until I make it over to the sofas in one piece, not dropping anything on the floor.

"You were really going to watch Lord Of The Rings by yourself?" He quirks an eyebrow as I perch down beside him.

I hum in agreement. "Yeah but then I remembered you said you liked it too."

He flashes me a quick grin and I work fast to memorise that gesture in my brain. "I thought I was the only nerd who would watch it alone."

"We can be nerds together," I say, reaching for the TV remote.

Alex scoffs and turns to the back of the sofa where a blanket is laying, he tugs it over his legs. "You can't be a nerd. You're too cool to be a nerd."

"I can't be a nerd?" I gasp in fake shock.

He shakes his head. "Unless you collected WarHammer or played RuneScape, then I'm afraid you don't fall into that category just because you watch Lord Of The Rings."

My lips hurt from my extended smile, a soft laugh falling from them. "Okay, okay," I hold my hands up in defence. "I guess I didn't do either of those things but it's fine, you can gate keep being a nerd. I clearly don't qualify."

Alex watches me speak, his eyes paying particular attention to my lips. Then he smiles. "I really don't want to gate keep being a nerd. That sounds so lame. I have other personality traits. I promise."

I laugh and shuffle a bit closer, my knee grazing the blanket that is draping across his legs. "I'm slightly charmed by the fact you think I'm cool."

He tilts his head slowly. "Come on. You know you're cool."

"Do I?"

"Yes. The way you dress, the way you present yourself, your friends, your career. Everything."

My heart stammers at the final word and I find myself in a daze for a few moments. "Being cool means nothing in this world," I shrug. "Only being happy in yourself does. Even if you like crocs and RuneScape."

Alex takes the small pillow from beside him and bashes my leg with it. "Stop taking the piss."

I grin. "I'm not."

He rolls his eyes but he's smiling when he turns back to the TV. "Are we going to start the movie marathon or what?"

A small shade of pink creeps up on his cheeks and I am swooning over how fucking adorable he is. "As much as I want to watch them all tonight, I've got work. So it's going to have to be over the course of a couple days."

Alex shrugs simply. "I'm not opposed to that."

He still can't look at me, I know he's fighting back the heat across his face. I glance down at his hand that is resting against the blanket and I want to reach over and graze my fingers with his, only softly.

But I don't because that would be weird. We're friends. Only friends.

"Depends," I tease, waiting for those eyes to meet mine again. "On how bad your commentary really is."

Alex narrows his gaze. "I'll be quiet if you want me to."

"No," I shake my head and move closer. I'm now sitting between the cushions in the middle, Alex's eyes lashes brushing his cheekbone rapidly as he watches me inch closer. "Don't. I want you to give me the commentary. There are probably loads of things I've never understood or missed."

"Once I start, you might not be able to shut me up." He warns.

I crack another smile. "I don't mind at all."

❖ ❖ ❖

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Author's Note

Hello my angels, what did you think of this chapter?👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

Owww Alex and River are so fucking cute together, I can't deal!🥹🫶

Ugh this story makes me feel so mushy towards these characters

Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed! It truly means the world to me❤️

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