This much she knows to be true; he's a hard man to work with. Harder still to befriend. Nearly impossible to love. Yet she manages to do all three.
He stands beside her, hands on his hips, an elbow casually brushing against her side. But there is nothing casual about partner. No gesture or movement is insignificant. It all means something. She just wishes she knew what.
They turn to leave, his hand moving to the small of her back. The ghost of a touch is enough to remind Alex of another truth – as difficult as it was at times, she is thankful for his presence in her life.
Fin