Chapter Forty-one

“Okay, so Danielle and I will be checking out the Mall after lunch,” Madison said, gathering a few things and tossing them into her purse.  “I’ll be gone most of the day.”

“I wanted to do all that, too, you know,” Zoey said, feeling guilty. “I should have said no.”

Madison smiled at her.  “Honey, you have a second chance. They don’t come along very often. Of course, you should have said yes.”

Zoey looked up at her friend and offered her a weak smile. 

“I know you are scared, Zoey. But he’s worth it isn’t he? Besides, maybe he’s just a little scared too.”

Zoey laughed. She couldn’t imagine Alex would be scared of anything. She embraced her friend.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” grinned Madison as she left the hotel room.

“That’s not saying much!” Zoey called after her with a laugh.

Zoey sat on the edge of the bed, waiting. Her nerves were not calmed by Madison’s wisdom.  The clock moved so slowly.  The television remote was in her hand and she thumbed through channels trying to distract herself. There were at least 40 channels available here at the hotel.  There was nothing interesting on any of them.  Zoey sighed and pushed the power button, turning the set off.  She glanced in the mirror and adjusted a rebellious wave back behind her ear. She wrung her hands with impatience and looked down at them.  They were clammy. She rubbed her palms on her jeans.  She stood and walked across the room to the window. She was reaching to pull back the curtain when there was a knock at the door. She caught her breath. She crossed to the door, let out the breath and opened it.

“Hello Zoey.”

“Hi,” she managed to squeak.

He held out his hand to her. “Ready?”

She slowly placed her hand in his and nodded.  She was going, but she wasn’t really sure she was ready.

Lunch was Five Guys Burgers and Fries. It was so good. The burgers were charbroiled and the fries were seasoned with Cajun spices.  It was fun. There were plenty of people around the small restaurant, a few of them even approached and asked for Alex’s autograph. But for the most part, they were able to make the place their own.  They sat in the corner and lost themselves in conversation. He chatted about his life in Washington DC. She talked about her work on the book and the process she had to go through once the pictures were done.  The time flew by unnoticed by either of them.  She couldn’t stop looking at his face. He was just the same. His mouth, his chin, his beautiful eyes – none of it was different.  He was still so beautiful. His smile still made her heart jump. Before she realized it, they were back at her hotel room door.

“Dis seems familiar,” Alex said with a smile and placed his hand on the door over her shoulder. “Can I come in?”

“Alex,” she protested, placing her hands against his chest.  It was very familiar, but her heart was already crying.  She closed her eyes, but she couldn’t keep her face from showing the pain she was in.  It took all her strength not to break down in tears.

“I can’t, Alex.”

He pulled away from her. She was surprised at the amount of pain she saw on his face. 

“I’m sorry, Alex,” a rebellious tear began to slide down her cheek. “I just can’t. I won’t survive watching you leave again.”

Alex stepped back. He turned and started to walk away down the hall, but stopped. He spoke to her without turning around.

“I went back Zoey,” she watched his shoulders expand as he took a breath. “I went back and you were gone.”

His words hit her hard as if she’d actually been physically struck. 

“W-what do you mean you went back? W-why? Why Alex?”

It was only then that he turned around and walked back to her.  His eyes were so sad. He brushed the tear from her cheek.

“Don’t you know, Kroshka?” he whispered, lifting her chin.

“Why Alex?” she searched his face.

“Because I loved you, Kroshka,” he looked deep into her eyes.  “I still do.”