“I think I’m ready to hear the truth of everything,” she blurted. Then, after that, it was like she found her courage, pushing ahead with haste. “I know it’s been a long time, and I honestly don’t even know why I’m doing this now. But ever since your apology, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about what happened. Of course, we don’t have to rehash anything if you don’t want to—”

“Yes, Alexis.”

“Huh?”

“I agree”

“Oh, okay. Um. How should we…”

“I’ll pick you up for coffee. We can talk after?”

Alexis sighed, unsure. “Owen. I’m not promising anything. I have no idea how this is going to play out.”

“It’s been a long time coming, Lex, and you know it. There are no expectations from me. No pressure on my end. Nothing other than us taking care of our past. In whatever capacity we need to.”

She gave me a shy side smile. “Since when did you get so good at communication?”

“Years of therapy will do that, I suppose.”

Her features dropped in sadness as she bit into her lower lip. I couldn’t help but pull it out with my thumb. “No more running, Lex.”

Her eyes sparked. “No more running.”

Chapter 20

ALEXIS

“Do you think it’s too sexy? Like it’s giving the message that this is a date?” I asked Alicia, who was on video chat while I modelled my outfit for her.

“Is it a date?”

“No?”

“Then why did that sound like a question?”

I huffed, and Alicia smirked.

“I’m nervous,” I admitted. I was on the verge of breaking out in hives.

“You used to be married, Lex. You’ve seen each other’s private parts. You’ll be fine.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know this is different.”

Alicia’s expression turned from teasing to gentle. “I know. I think it will be good for you to get some closure. Hell, you don’t even date… Especially after that one-night stand with no-name daddy—”

“You’re lucky Austin isn’t here,” I snapped. Alicia chuckled.

“Alexis. No matter what you wear, Owen will be drooling over you. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you in the hospital, and let’s just say you weren’t at your best then.” No shit. I had gone days with hardly any sleep.

“Thanks, I think? Ali, do you think this is a good idea?”

“It’s overdue, Lex. Especially since you’ve moved back to town. It will be better for you to put him behind you… or under you,” she said with a wink.

“There will be none of that.”

“Shit, why not? It’s been how long? You’ve got to brush off the cobwebs sometime, sis.”

“With my cheating ex? I can do better.”

“Of course you can! And I’ve told you that many times. But you’re forgetting something.”

“What?”