Mia Lake
(Two weeks later)

I'm exhausted, from the long night shift. The restaurant has finally quieted down. I'm in the back doing the last bit of cleaning before I can leave.

I pull my phone from my pocket and glance at the time. Almost midnight. Great, another late night.
But the extra shifts are necessary. Especially now that mom is recovering.

After tossing the tag in the laundry bin, I grab my jacket and head out the back door. I start walking but something stops me.

What is he doing here?

Alex.

My heart skips a beat, and I want to turn around, go back inside, pretend I didn't see him. He looks different.
Is he...drunk?

He's always been so controlled, so put together. This is new. He looks at me as I approach.
And I can see it in his eyes, the alcohol swimming in there. The slight stumble in his movements.

"You're finally done." He says. Has he been waiting?

"What are you doing here?" I ask crossing my arms. I need to keep my guard up.

He straightens slightly, blinking a few times, like he's trying to focus. "I was...thinking. About you...I mean, with your mother and everything, how is she?" He says not really sure of what he's saying.

"She's good." I say quickly. "You need to go home." I add since he'll probably regret this tomorrow.

He laughs softly, but it's a bitter sound. "Home? Yeah, that was where I was headed...but I thought I could see you first. Wanted to..." he pauses, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Fuck, I don't even know." He says.

I sigh, my heart heavy. "You're drunk, Alex. You should go home."

He looks at me, his gaze softening for a moment, the vulnerability there for just a second before he shakes his head, pushing it back down. "Yeah...I can drive."

"What? No you can't." I say firmly. With one last sigh I hold out my hand. "Give me your keys."

He hesitates, but after a moment he reaches into his pocket, yanking out his car keys and handing it to me. I can't just leave him like this. I walk to his car, parked a few spaces away. He follows behind me, quietly.

Once we're both in the car I start the engine and glance at him. His head is resting on the seat, his eyes half closed. I wonder how much he's had to drink?

"Didn't know you could drive." Alex mumbles after a few minutes.

I raise an eyebrow. "There's a lot you don't know about me." I say.

"It's hot..." He murmurs, a small smirk playing on his lips, barely there.

I roll my eyes, but I can't help the small smile that tugs at my lips. "You're being ridiculous."

He doesn't respond, just lets out a low chuckle that quickly fades into silence. I've never been to his house, and it feels a bit strange to pull it to his driveway.

I park the car and turn to him. "You're home.

He glances out the window then back to me. "Aren't you supposed to open the door for me?" He asks making me laugh a little.

He's less guarded when drunk. It's like he says the first thing that comes to his mind.

After a moment he shifts and opens the door to step out. I follow, watching him to make sure he gets all the way home.

Inside, his house it's dark, quiet. It's bigger than I thought. A lot bigger. It feels like a mansion.
"We need to get you to bed." I say as he points up with his finger.

I nod and help him up the stairs to his bedroom. He sits down on his bed and closes his eyes. Really?
I roll my eyes again as I help him take his jacket off.
I lay it on a chair beside his bed.
And when I'm about to walk away, his hand catches mine. Pulling me down with him.

Before I get the chance to say anything he lays down with me. His arms around my waist, pulling me close to him. My back against his chest. "Alex, what are y..."

"Don't leave." He cuts me off. His voice low and rough. "Stay."

I stiffen my heart racing. This is dangerous and we both know it. "I can't stay, you know I can't."

He tightens his hold on me, his breath warm against the back of my neck. "Please, Mia. Just for tonight...let me pretend you're mine." He says.

My chest aches with his words, and I close my eyes. He's being vulnerable, more than I've ever seen him, and it's breaking down all the walls I've tried to build.

He presses his forehead onto my shoulder.
"I know you don't want this." He murmurs, his voice cracking. "But just for tonight...let me have this, please." He begs.

I bite my lip. And against every instinct, every logical thought I have, I nod. Just tonight. One night where I don't have to push him away. One night where I can pretend too.

I love my babies<3