Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait between chapters. Work's been busy and I was trying to figure what came next after Garrett getting a reduced sentence in the last chapters. My writer's block brought about an unexpected opportunity to focus on the Alexis/Lorenzo romance and it went places I hadn't expected it to go yet. I couldn't be more excited considering I had different plans for them when I started writing "Crossing Into Dawn" and then ended up with them never really getting a shot. For those just need something to read that's lighter and more positive, this chapter does that overall. I hope you all are doing well and are safe. Have a great weekend!
Lorenzo was leaning against the car as he waited for Alexis.
"You could have told me you were ready to go," Alexis said approaching the car.
"I didn't want to interrupt you and Sam," Lorenzo said.
Alexis rolled her eyes and unlocked the car. Lorenzo didn't move, lost in thought.
"Earth to Lorenzo," Alexis said, "The car's unlocked."
"Sorry," Lorenzo said, moving to open the car door.
On the drive back to Alexis's, Lorenzo stared out the window silent. Back at the house, Lorenzo went to disappear in his room without a word, visibly tired and weary.
"Lorenzo Tomas Alcazar," Alexis said, "Sit down before you collapse. You know you're still not supposed to over do it."
"Alexis," Lorenzo replied.
"No arguments out of you, mister," Alexis said, herding Lorenzo to the couch, "i don't know why you insist on pretending you're better than you really are. You did say that while you'd get your strength back, it would take its time coming back."
"I don't want the girls to worry," Lorenzo said, collapsing on the couch. Alexis sat next to him.
"We'll all worry if you don't take it easy like you're supposed and end up worse off than you were before," Alexis said.
"Does that we include you?" Lorenzo asked.
"For our daughter's sake only," Alexis said.
Lorenzo didn't respond.
"What no glib remark or smirk trying tease a different answer out of me?" Alexis said.
"Is there another answer you haven't mentioned, counselor?" Lorenzo replied.
"No," Alexis said and paused, "How are you really? Don't tell me nothing. I know something's bothering you."
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with," Lorenzo said.
"Considering the fact that you're too exhausted to move," Alexis said, "I can badger you until you decide to answer my question. There isn't anything you can do to get away from it."
Lorenzo didn't respond as Alexis continued to try to get Lorenzo to talk.
"i forgot how good you are at not answering questions when you don't want to," Alexis finally said.
Lorenzo smirked.
"You're not the only one that's worried about the girls, all of them," Alexis said, "It seems like we get one squared away and we're immediately worrying about one of the others."
"It sure seems that way," Lorenzo said, "It doesn't help that the cult leader and Esoterra are connected."
"With any luck, maybe some one will give up information on other crimes Garrett's committed that haven't been investigated yet," Alexis said.
"We both know it's not likely," Lorenzo said, rubbing his forehead.
"Just tell me what's bothering you," Alexis said.
"Hypothetically, it would fall under attorney-client privilege," Lorenzo said.
"Hypothetically, consider me your attorney," Alexis said, "Although should I be worried someone's going to commit a crime or has committed a crime."
"I really hope not," Lorenzo said.
"Sonny and Jason wouldn't surprise me," Alexis said, "Although, if you were still in the business…."
"We wouldn't even be having this discussion," Lorenzo said, "Or you'd be representing me as a suspect at the police station. Though I don't think I've ever wished that I still had those resources more than I have right now."
"So you feel guilty that you can't just solve the Garrett problem. That's what bothering you," Alexis said.
"I said no such thing," Lorenzo said.
"You didn't have to," Alexis said.
"Look…I just worry Kellie will end up drawn back more into Sonny and Jason's world than we bargained for," Lorenzo said.
"She's married to Jason," Alexis said, "and pregnant with his baby. She's pretty well there with the security she needs for her and the kids."
"That's not what worries me," Lorenzo said, "She needs that type of security even when she wasn't married to Jason at least for the kids. And it's not like I don't know she's more than capable of handling the business. She worked with me and Jason But it's been a long time since I've seen…."
"Seen what?" Alexis asked when Lorenzo paused.
"The looks she gets in her eyes when reminds me entirely too much of Sonny or myself," Lorenzo said.
"I know Kellie was involved in the business," Alexis said, "But I always thought she had enough sense not to do things the way you guys do."
"Normally," Lorenzo said, "But she's also always been able to handle things and stay clean. It's just this thing with Garrett, something feels different."
"She's a smart girl," Alexis said, "As much she might want to… she knows better. I think Kellie's not the only one spooked by Garrett's act."
"I hope you're right," Lorenzo said, his heading dropping on Alexis's shoulder.
Alexis grabbed the pillow next to her and hit Lorenzo with it. Lorenzo moved his head off her shoulder.
"What was that for?" Lorenzo said.
"Trying to use me as your own personal pillow," Alexis said.
"Your shoulder looked comfortable," Lorenzo said.
"That's right my shoulder," Alexis said.
"What annoys you more that I used your shoulder as a pillow," Lorenzo replied, "Or that you actually enjoyed it."
"You are insufferable," Alexis said, "This is exactly why I didn't want you recovering at my place. You'd turn on the charm and I'd feel myself starting to melt and think.."
"Think what?" Lorenzo asked, "or are you still too scared to admit it?"
"There's nothing to admit," Alexis said, daring Lorenzo to challenge her bluff.
Lorenzo held Alexis's gaze, "In that case, I'm headed to my room."
Lorenzo stood up, leaving Alexis speechless.
Back in his room, Lorenzo was sitting on the bed when Alexis flung the door open.
"Damn you for making me fall in love with you again," Alexis said, throwing herself at Lorenzo and kissing him, "And you didn't without turning on any of the charm or trying to seduce me this whole time until now."
"I love you too, Alexis," Lorenzo said, kissing her back.
"You know what I hate more," Alexis said.
"I'm sure you'll tell me," Lorenzo said.
"That I hate the thought of you leaving once you get your strength back," Alexis said.
"Who says I have to leave?" Lorenzo replied.
Alexis paused, "I….I don't know. We're not a thing and I didn't want us to be a thing. So I just assumed that you would be leaving eventually…. I…."
"What do you want, Alexis?" Lorenzo asked.
"To stop fighting this thing between us and give it a real shot," Alexis said, "I mean, we never really had a first or second shot."
"It's yours if you want it, a real shot," Lorenzo said, "It's all I've ever wanted with you since I found out you were the girl that got away as a teenager."
"So do you want to not move out?" Alexis asked.
"I thought you'd never ask," Lorenzo said before they resumed kissing.
"Yes or no," Alexis said.
"Yes, counselor," Lorenzo replied.