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She thought about it. “That means you’ve known for a while, then.
Or at least had suspicions.”
“Yes,” he admitted.
“Which is why you never asked about my past.”
“Yes,” he said again.
“And you still wanted to go out with me?”
His expression was serious. “I’ve wanted to go out with you from
the first moment I saw you. I just had to wait until you were
ready.”
With the last of the sunlight fading from the horizon, twilight
descended, turning the flat, cloudless sky a pale violet. They stood
at the railing and Alex watched as the southern breeze gently
lifted wayward strands of her hair. Her skin took on a peachy
glow; he saw the subtle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.
She gazed into the distance, her expression unreadable, and Alex
felt something catch in his throat as he wondered what she was
thinking.
“You never answered my question,” he finally said.
She stayed quiet for a moment before a shy smile finally appeared.
“I think I’m going to stay in Southport for a while, if that’s what
you’re asking,” she answered.
He breathed in her scent. “You can trust me, you know.”
She leaned into him, feeling his strength as he slipped his arm
around her. “I guess I’m going to have to, aren’t I?”
* * *
They returned to the kitchen a few minutes later. Katie set her
glass of wine aside as she slid the appetizer and stuffed peppers