One Step Away (A Bedford Falls Novel Book 1) by Sydney Bristow Page A

what you can deal with – if
you don’t think about it.”
    “We’re too close—”
    “Why don’t you feel something more? Just the
way he looks at you tells me that he’ll never want anyone else. I
know that’s hard to believe, but Alexander’s different. He’s solid.
And deep. And that’s way hotter than Brad’s body. You know why? Ten
years from now, Brad won’t look so hot anymore. But Alexander will
still be solid. And deep.”
    Marisa hadn’t disclosed her reservations
about Brad to Lauren. “I just wanted to see if Brad was ready for a
serious relationship.”
    “What’s the verdict?”
    Marisa pretended to shake an invisible Magic
8-Ball. “Reply hazy, try again.”
    “What’s the verdict?” Lauren repeated with a
grin. “But seriously, when do you think you’ll know? And if he
isn’t ready now, when will you give up on him?”
    “Beats me. I think the main reason I hang
out with him after a breakup is because he takes my mind off it.
I’m not thinking about the past or the future. Plus, he’s fun to be
around. I can definitely see him with kids. I’m just not sure he can see it.”
    Lauren’s eyebrows knitted together, taking
that comment as a red flag.
    “I know; no one can convince him…but him.
But I’ve seen him with kids. He’s kind and lighthearted and they
have a ball together.” She couldn’t take that line of thought
anywhere else, so she said, “People are drawn to him. He’s the
center of attention at every party. And he’s matured quite a bit in
the last four or five months. I’m curious to see if he’s changed in
other ways. But right now, I’m not looking for something serious.
And neither is he.”
    “Which is one of the reasons you’re
questioning whether he’s a long-term possibility. We both know you
want to settle down, maybe even pretty soon. But Alexander wants a
long-term relationship. And he is ready.”
    “True. But Alexander’s intense. Really intense. Sometimes it’s tough for him to loosen up
and relax.”
    Lauren looked wistful. She pretended to hit
a button on an imaginary cash register. “Okay, that’s one smart
good-looking guy who makes a steady living and seems like he’d be a
good father. That’ll be…Oh, wait. He’s your best friend?” She hit
another imaginary button. “There’s an extra charge for that.”
    “You’re a riot,” Marisa said, trying not to
grin.
    “And would you like a prenup to go with
that?”
    “I can’t contain my laughter.”
    “So is that for here or to go?” Lauren
always found humor even in the most precarious situations.
    Marisa grew contemplative. “I hate that I
can’t make us happen. What’s wrong with me?”
    Hearing her phone chirp, Marisa checked out
the new text message. She couldn’t hide a sharp intake of breath,
prompting Lauren to raise her eyebrows in question. “It’s Kelsey.
She heard what happened with Alexander, and she hopes I’m doing
okay.”
    Kelsey somehow maintained impartiality when
it came to disagreements or misunderstandings between Marisa and
Alexander. She always listened, but never got too involved, letting
them work it out themselves. In hindsight, Kelsey probably did so
because she knew about Alexander’s true feelings. Now that he’d
revealed those emotions, Marisa felt grateful that Kelsey as
remaining supportive but not intrusive. No one could ask for a
better friend. She replied back: “I’m okay. Just really confused.
Thanks for asking. Sorry for being short, but I need to sort things
out. Talk to you soon.”
    But if things went south in a hurry, Marisa
couldn’t blame Kelsey for siding with Alexander. Still, she hoped
it didn’t come down to that.

    *
     
    Damon turned back to Alexander to start in
on him again. “Since you two had a falling out today, Marisa’s
upset. She also got a promotion, so she may be happy, but she’s
probably mostly stressed – two major life changes in the same day.
So let’s get back to Brad. You said he’s