Chapter 24

It had been just over two weeks since Marissa had gone over to Alex's and ever since the shorter brunette couldn't stop thinking about anything but what the other had said. She had gone over to her apartment but she wasn't home, and was greeted by Summer who informed her that Marissa had been really busy with work.

Marissa on the other hand had been so occupied at work that she didn't have much time to think about Alex. Not that she didn't want to, she was just so busy at work that by the time she got home around 2 a.m. every morning she immediately fell asleep the second she hit the bed.

Things were slowing down and Marissa opted for a walk in the park, it was still cold but there were some birds out and it was a sunny day. She dressed warm or at least tried to, she thought about getting a latte or coffee first but decided on getting one after to help her warm up.

After walking for about fifteen minutes Marissa sat down on one of the benches and looked out over the ice. For the first time replaying her last conversation with Alex, Summer had forgot to tell her that the other girl had stopped by, and Marissa was upset that Alex was gone for good. On the other hand she was happy for the other girl, if Ken was what made Alex happy then she was happy for her. She understood that 8 years was a long time, but there was always a glimmer of hope somewhere inside her that kept telling her to hold out for Alex because one day she was destined to find her.

That glimmer went away after their conversation and not even a call from Alex. It wasn't that she expected Alex to give up everything she had built for herself, and she did genuinely seem happy with Ken. Call it wishful thinking but Alex would always have heart, that's one of the reason why she had chosen the job in New York, because she knew even if she never ran into Alex that the city had once had Alex in it was enough. It was the last place Marissa knew of Alex being, and she could feel it when she stepped off the plane.

She stood up and continued her walk around the park, looking at all the couples holding hands, and standing close to keep warm. She secretly hoped she would never have to see Alex with Ken because that would be her wake up call and she didn't want that. She was brought out of her thoughts when she felt something warm come up from behind her and rub her leg, taking her ear phones out and looking down, she seen a golden retriever.

He was wagging his tail back and forth, clearly happy to see her. Leaning over she pet him and he sat down. He was already covered in snow and Marissa figured he had been playing in the fresh snow that had fallen the night before. "You just like running off don't you." She laughed as she continued to pet him, as he waged his tail.

"Cooper there you are what has been you and running off lately. I'm so sorry I don't know what's gotten into him, he's normally a lot calmer." Marissa heard the voice from behind her say, her stomach getting butterflies. It was her, they did break up. Unless Alex is friends with Ken's ex too, which knowing Alex is a possibility.

Marissa stood up and turned around. "It's fine really, I think he might just like me." Marissa smiled as Alex stood in shock. "Knowing you probably have him trained to pick out the hotties for you." Marissa joked, causing Alex to smile.

"He seems to have good taste so far." Marissa smiled. "How's work been? Summer told me things were pretty hectic, that's why I didn't call I didn't want to be a bother." She through the stick that Cooper and brought her and he chased after it.

"You talked to Summer?"

Alex looked a little surprised. "Yeah didn't she tell you I stopped by?" Marissa shook her head no. "Well I think I need to go rage black out on her then." Marissa laughed.

"You remembered about her rage blackouts?"

"How could I forget she threatened them with me enough." Cooper came back with the stick and Alex through it again. "Ken mentioned he ran into a Marissa, he figured it was you but that he'd be a complete idiot if it wasn't. He's not wrong to often so I figured it was, that's why I was a little shocked when you made the marriage comment the other night. I thought you knew that we had broken up." Alex spit out knowing that if she didn't do it in that moment it might now have come out, or at least for awhile.

Marissa tried not to smile, she didn't want to seem happy that Alex and Ken had broken up but she was happy, she was happy that she maybe had a chance with Alex. Or at least they could be friend, not that they couldn't have been before but it would have been to weird. "I wasn't sure, the thought crossed my mind but I wasn't going to come out and say it. Then when I showed up at your place, and you were on the phone with him, I thought it couldn't have been you he was referring to."

Alex nodded. "Sorry about that by the way, I love him, the way I guess you love Ryan." Marissa nodded in understanding, as Cooper came back and wanted her to pet him. "He seems to really like you, normally he's somewhat shy, strong and silent type he is." Alex joked as Marissa pet Cooper.

"I guess he's like his owner then, except she's not a blonde anymore. The dark hair looks good by the way, why'd you decide to change it." Marissa wanted so badly to run her hand through Alex's hair but decided against it.

Alex shrugged. "I got bored with it, it was like…" She paused mid sentence and looked into Marissa's eyes. "Do you want to go get a coffee or something, I'm beginning to freeze and as much as Cooper likes the snow I don't need a sick dog on my hands, he becomes a bigger suck than he already is. It's bad enough he thinks he's a lap dog, believe me he's not." She joked.

"I'd like that a lot." Marissa smiled, somewhat wondering what Alex was going to say before she changed her mind.

"Do you mind if we stop at my place and drop him off first?"

"No that's fine." Marissa said as they began to walk towards Alex's.

"Cooper." Alex called for the dog who instantly came running, wet from the snow he jumping up on Alex and made her lose her balance. Once she was on the ground he began to lick her as Marissa stood there laughing. "Oh you think that's funny?" Marissa nodded, trying to catch her breath from laughing so hard. Alex packed the snow into a ball and threw it at Marissa, causing the girl to give her a scowl. "Now that, that is funny." Alex laughed.

"That was so not cool, Kelly. Now you better get up since I'm colder now than I was before."

"Fine if you help me." Marissa stuck her hand out to help Alex, who took hold of it and brought Marissa down with her.

"I can't believe you did that, actually I can. That was such a bitch mood, I guess some things really don't change." Marissa laughed as she watched Alex make a snow angel, which caused Cooper to start rolling around in the snow.

Alex sat up and looked at Marissa who was looking at her oddly. "For one, I'm not a bitch, okay so I am but you…why are you looking at me like that."

Marissa continued to smile. "No reason, you two are just cute." Cooper came over and licked Marissa and then Alex.

"You are so getting a bath later today mister." Alex patted Cooper on the head and stood up. Extended her hand to Marissa not really thinking about it.

Marissa smiled and pulled Alex down, but instead of falling to the side Alex fell right on top of her. "Paybacks a bitch." She said from underneath Alex.

Alex smiled. "I think you just like being under me." Alex smirked before getting off Marissa and helping her stand.

"Oh great back come the Alex Kelly classic dirty comments."

"Not dirty, just suggestive, and you know you missed them." They started walking back to Alex's with Cooper running along side them.

"Of course I did, but thanks to you I'm soaking wet." Alex raised an eyebrow and then winked at her. "Very funny, not like that so how about I go home and change real quick and then meet you are your place in fifteen and we can go for that coffee still if you want?"

Alex nodded. "Sure sounds like a plan, I can't wait, see you soon." She smiled and walked towards her house, as Marissa practically ran home to tell Summer and change.