Chap. 1

POV- Paige

I am standing in the kitchen of Alex's apartment, washing dishes as Alex tidies the living room.

It's been a year since Alex crashed the wedding, and things have been going surprisingly well between us. I've been

living with her in this cozy flat, but she says she knows how badly I want a house and she has been working extra

hours to save up some money. Apparently, Alex has been saving up an emergency stash of money for the past few

years.

The realization of this makes me proud. I am so proud of Alex for how she's turned her life around.

I remember the day she told me about her emergency money.

We were both back from work, lounging in our pajamas. Alex's pajamas were simply sweatpants and a tank-top. Mine were some cheer shorts and one of Alex's band tees.

I was feeling stressed out from work and Alex, being a sweetheart, tried everything she could to cheer me up. She plopped down on the sofa and pulled me down beside her before pulling her feet up under her and turning to face me. I did the same.

"Paigey?" She tugged on my hand playfully, with a mock pout. "You haven't said much since you got home. And that is VERY un-you of you." She teased, taking my hand and rubbing over my knuckles tenderly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I couldn't help but smile at how sweet she was being. But, instead of responding, I only shook my head, figuring the next day would be better. "Don't worry about it, hun. It's not so bad. Just work…"

"Are you sure?" She raised an eyebrow knowingly, but didn't pry any further. She knows how stubborn I can be.

She made me turn around so she could massage my neck and shoulders. I'd forgotten how good Alex was at giving massages. By the end, I was nearly asleep. I probably would've fallen asleep if she hadn't hopped up from the chair at the end. I made a pouty face and she kissed my pouty lips, amused, then headed for the kitchen. She put some lasagna in the oven, before returning.

"I know what'll cheer you up, princess." She beamed, leaning forward to the coffee table and brushing some magazines off of the one she'd been hiding from me. I saw it was a housing catalog. I smiled up at her confused.

"What's this?" I took it from her and began flipping through it. She scooted closer and lifted her arm up to put it around me. I snuggled up to her.

"I've been saving up some money for a while now. For emergencies. I have over 20 grand right now." She paused, with that cute, shy smile, then continued ,"I know you want a house, so I've been doing some research… "

.GOD.

"Lexi… ," I gushed, kissing her quickly then smiling up into her eyes.

She blushed. "We should have enough to make a few payments now. You just flip through that and see what you like."

As if she knew what I was thinking, Alex appeared and hugged me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder.

"Have you decided on anything yet, princess?"

"Not yet, hun." I close my eyes and lean back into her, continuing. "But, I did circle a few that I wanted to look at with you."

"Lady, you're making ME tired. You need to come take a break. Get off your feet for a while."

I start to protest, but she stops me.

"The dishes can wait... You've been standing all day, haven't you?" She asks knowingly.

"Well… " I smile, unwilling to admit my defeat.

"Exactly." She spins me around and takes my hands, leading me to our convenient little bed/sofa.

She sits and pulls me down beside her. I snuggle in closer as I feel her arm around my shoulders. I can't help but notice how much safer I feel in her arms than I have ever felt in anyone's arms. Even Dom's.

She leans up and grabs the housing catalog with that trademark smirk of hers. I giggle a bit. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's just as excited about this as I am. I call her out on it.

"Soo… ." I tease. "Looks like someone's excited."

"Oh, I'm excited about SOMETHING." She grins, wiggling her eyebrows playfully. How very Alex. I bust out laughing.

"Hun… You can be such a dork sometimes."

She smiles and rubs my shoulder softly as she plants a kiss on the side of my head. We begin to flip through the catalog.