"Jo!" Alex uttered, shocked, seeing the woman standing in front of him suitcase at her feet. "Wh-what are you doing here?" he finally managed to choke out through his surprise.
Jo bit her lip, "Can I come in?" she asked gesturing towards the door.
"Uh yeah, yes of course," he mumbled sheepishly, reaching down to lift her suitcase before she could grab the handle. He opened the door to his apartment wide letting her pass in front of him.
She took a few steps into the apartment looking around taking it all in.
"Jo?" Alex prompted quietly brows scrunched up in question. He lead her to the couch with a gentle hand to her lower back.
She sat down facing him with her left leg tucked up underneath her. "When you said you wanted to try and make this marriage work. I'm not gonna lie, I thought you were crazy," she started, looking at him wide eyed. "But the more I've gotten to know you, the more I see you are good. You're a really good guy," she said sincerely, "and I've never had that. I've never had the good guy in my life. My dad ran out on my mom when I was a baby, and she brought home one wrong guy after the other after that, until she was killed in a car accident due to her drunk driving," she continued on matter of fact.
Alex winced, "Jo, I'm so sorry."
"It's fine; I'm fine. She was never a mother to me," she dismissed. "But I guess I took after her, because my love life has been a string of bad decisions. I pick the bad guy. So now I'm choosing to pick the good guy." Alex sat silent touched by her kind words and high opinion of him. "Maybe I'm crazy too. But I wanna give this a shot, and the only way to work on a marriage is to live in it; so here I am," she shrugged dropping her hands palms open in her lap.
"So what are you saying?" he asked cautiously, needing to know if he was interpreting correctly what she was saying.
"I'm moving to Houston."
"And you're gonna live here, or..?"
"Yeah here," she nodded ".. or.. I mean.." she left it hanging.
"No, you're right. You'll live here, of course you will," Alex agreed. They let the silence take over as they each contemplated what this might mean. Alex was still trying to wrap his head around it all. He had no warning, she had just shown up, in fact, he had been just about to call her when her knock sounded on his door. "Wha.. I mean, how… what made you decide to come to Houston now?" he finally asked.
"I told you, I want to make this relationship, well what can be a relationship, with you work. I want to be with a man like you," she looked into his eyes, "Last night, on the phone, when you reassured me that my past doesn't matter to you, I knew. You've been so kind with me, so thoughtful, since we met. I just knew."
A warm feeling stirred in his chest at her words. He leaned forward brushing a soft kiss to her lips. Jo returned his kiss and tried to deepen it, frustrated when he pulled back. "I could use a drink," she said instead, wanting a break from the heavy emotion of the past few minutes. "What do you have?"
Blushing sheepish once again, "Umm.. milk, water, and root beer," he offered, "I think I have some ice cream; I could make you a root beer float."
Jo chuckled to herself, "That sounds good, thanks."
Alex made them each a float, and they settled back on the couch watching mindless tv for awhile. "I've had a long day; I'm getting tired," Jo stated out of nowhere, "Do you mind if I use your shower?"
"No, of course not," Alex picked up her suitcase and lead her down a short narrow hallway. He turned left into the room at the end of the hall and set her luggage down on his bed, "The bathroom is right across the hall," he pointed and then left the room to give her some privacy.
When he returned, after washing their cups and spoons, he stopped in the doorway staring. Jo was standing with her back to the door digging through her suitcase. She was dressed in a tight black spaghetti strap tank top and a pair of hot pink and black plaid pajama shorts that came down to just below the curve of her butt. Her long hair hung in damp waves down her back. Finding the comb she was looking for, Jo pulled it out flipping a bra out onto the floor. She bent over to pick it up; Alex's breath caught as his eyes roamed her perfectly shaped backside.
Hearing the small gasp behind her, Jo spun around stuffing her bra back into her case, "I'm sorry," she apologized, "I'm in your way."
"No," Alex cleared his throat his face flaming, "I'm just… I was just g-getting some clothes," he stumbled over his words forcing his eyes up to her face away from the way her fitted shirt clung to her soft curves. He hurried over to his dresser pulling out a clean t-shirt, underwear, and basketball shorts. "Um, you'll be staying in here, so make yourself at home," he offered holding his clothes tightly in front of him, "I'm going to go take a shower." He all but ran out of the room.
Jo watched him go, unsure of what had come over him. She hadn't noticed him ogling her. Shaking her head she crawled into his bed and looked around the room, taking it in much as she had done the living area of the apartment when she had first arrived. Her eyes landed on the bedside table where she saw their 'wedding souvenirs' set out, including his ring. A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. He really was serious about this marriage. Maybe she had finally made the right decision for once in her life.
Alex returned to his room after his shower looking much more relaxed. He leaned against the door frame and asked, "Do you need anything?" Jo shook her head. "Okay, goodnight," he turned.
"Where are you going?"
He tilted his head toward the living room, "I'm gonna go sleep on the couch."
"You don't have to do that," she argued.
"I know, but…"
"Just come lay with me," she pleaded, "Nothing has to happen," she knew what he was thinking, but she didn't want to be alone.
She looked so vulnerable lying there in his big bed. She had only opened up to him about her past two times, earlier when she arrived and last night on the phone, and she spoke about it almost emotionless, but he knew it took a lot out of her to do that, to relive the memories and the pain. He could see how hard it was for her, how it haunted her. "Okay," he agreed crossing the room and getting into bed next to her.
Jo scooted close curling into his side. She rested her head on his chest and draped her arm across him, "Is this okay," she lifted her eyes up to look at him, "too much?"
"No, it's good," he whispered placing a kiss to the top of her head breathing in the sweet smell of her shampoo, "Try and get some sleep." He closed his eyes willing himself to take his own advice. He tried to ignore the heat radiating through him from where her soft warm skin brushed against his.
The next morning, Alex woke up with a heaviness on his chest. He cracked one eye open and smiled remembering Jo was in his bed with him. When he was fully awake, he opened both his eyes and gazed down at the beauty sleeping on his chest. He didn't think he had ever seen a more beautiful sight. Her face was relaxed in a peaceful sleep lips slightly parted, and her hair was fanned out all around her cascading down his chest. He gently shifted her head to his pillow and got out of bed slowly so as not to disturb her. He grabbed some clothes to get ready for the day and crossed to the bathroom casting one last glance at Jo before he left the room.
Jo woke up to an empty apartment, but found a note with the spare key on the table. She sent Alex a good morning text telling him she was sorry she had missed him, ate a bowl of cereal, and then dressed for the day. When it became apparent to her that Alex wouldn't be home for lunch, she decided to do a little exploring. She walked the neighborhood and took note of the surrounding stores and restaurants. She popped into the grocery store and bought supplies to cook a nice supper for the two of them.
Late in the afternoon when Jo still hadn't seen Alex she sent him another text: I have pork chops to cook for supper. When will you be home?
Sorry, Jo, I'll be late. I'm working on a paper and I'll just grab something to eat with one of the other guys.
Her heart sank. She had been looking forward to spending more time with him.
True to his word, Alex came home late. Jo was already in bed watching a movie on her tablet. Alex grabbed his clothes and went to shower. When he opened the bathroom door Jo called out, "How's the paper coming along?" she felt like an idiot, but she needed to talk to him; they hadn't spoken all day.
"Good," he entered the room and hesitantly sat on the edge of the bed. "How was your day?"
She shrugged, "Okay, I guess. I explored the neighborhood a little bit. I'll try to find a job tomorrow," she added.
"You just moved here; you should settle in first," he argued.
"We'll see," she picked at a loose thread on the sheet. What happened? Why were they so strained all of a sudden?
"Well, goodnight," Alex stood.
"You're not sleeping on the couch," Jo stopped him before he could leave the room. "It's your place. I can sleep on the couch," she started to get up.
"No, no, I want you to have the bed," he argued stopping her.
"It's a big bed. We can share," she said exasperated, feeling like they were having the same conversation from the night before. "It was fine last night… wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it's fine. You're right," he gave in slipping under the covers.
The next day played out much the same way. After his last class of the day, Alex approached his friend, George, "What are you up to the rest of the day?" he asked.
"I don't know, probably hit the library and study for a bit," the other man shrugged.
"Wanna grab a burger after?" Alex suggested.
"Sure, okay."
Jo went out again that day. While she was looking through the classified ads in the newspaper at a funky coffee shop she was suddenly approached by a woman with a camera.
"I hope you don't mind, I shot a couple pictures of you," she said boldly sitting down across from Jo.
"Umm, what?" the younger woman looked up confused.
"You have a great look and you're so intense pouring over that paper," she said as way of explanation. Jo shook her head nothing still making sense. "I'm a photographer, opening up my own studio, and I need to add to my portfolio. And this made a great picture," she said turning the screen of her camera to Jo. She had to admit it was a good picture very artistic with the angle and light. "Callie Torres," the photographer held her hand out noting the shimmer of acceptance in the other woman's eyes.
Jo grasped the woman's hand, "Jo Wi-Karev," she decided at the last second to use his name. She was starting a new life with Alex in Houston so she was going to use his name… she just hoped he was okay with that.
"Well, Jo, I've got a proposition for you. I really like your look and my camera loves you," her way of saying Jo was photogenic, "How would you like to be my model for my portfolio? New customers have to have an example of my work and the studio I worked for before was so dull; I hate my current portfolio."
"Umm, yeah, I mean I guess," Jo shrugged. She liked Callie's energy. They seemed to click immediately. "Not to be rude, but what does it pay? Because I'm just here looking for a job as we speak."
"Nonsense," Callie swept the paper away from Jo, "You'll work for me. Model for my pictures and help out around the studio. I've gotta run, but we'll get together in the next couple of days and iron out all the details." The two women traded contact information, and Callie Torres was gone as quickly as she had appeared.
Well, that opened up Jo's afternoon; she found a job already, actually a job found her, so the whole day was open before her. She sent Alex a quick message before going back home: I've got some exciting news… well at least I think it will be. Can't wait to see you tonight.
Alex felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out reading the screen. She couldn't wait to see him? It was almost enough to make him change his plans. But how do you go from a drunken marriage, one date, a few long distance phone calls, to living together in a matter of a couple of weeks? It was too much. He had pressured her too much with his constant talk of making their 'marriage' work. He wouldn't suffocate her now. He sent back: I'm studying late again… go ahead and eat without me. Anxious to hear your news.
Dammit Alex! Jo tossed her purse on the table. She had given up her life in Seattle, yes, it was in a shambles after her divorce, but still, she had given up everything she knew to move here to Houston to be with Alex. It's what he wanted, to make their marriage work. Or what he said he wanted. And now he was never home. She deserved more than long days in a lonely apartment.
When he got home, Alex found Jo on the couch watching tv, leftover pizza and an empty beer bottle on the table, and another beer bottle on the floor by the couch. "Hey, your home," Jo greeted barely glancing his way.
"Yeah," he responded taking the cushion on the other end of the couch.
They watched in silence for a while until Jo got up finished her beer and went to get ready for bed. She was surprised when she returned to the bedroom and saw Alex already there under the covers. Maybe they were making progress. No fight about sleeping on the couch tonight. She finished up her nighttime routine smoothing lotion on her skin catching Alex watching her out of the corner of her eye a few times.
She crawled into bed and Alex turned onto his side facing her, "So, what's your exciting news? I wanna hear all about it."
She fluffed her pillow and also laid on her side to look at him. "I was at this little hole in the wall coffee shop this morning looking through the classifieds when this woman comes up to me and, long story short, offers me a job working at her photo studio she's opening."
"Wow, just like that?" Alex's brows shot up.
"Yeah, crazy right?" Jo nodded, "But she seemed cool and we hit it off so…"
"That's awesome, Jo," and he really meant it, "I hope you like it."
"I think I will," she stretched her leg out her foot brushing against his, "I've never been interested in photography before, but I think Callie will be fun to work with, and it won't be forever."
Electricity shot up their legs when their feet touched. Alex moved his forward slightly to maintain the contact. Jo inched closer, and Alex took the hint closing the distance between them wrapping an arm around her. They couldn't fight it or deny it, there was definitely some force pulling them together. They fell asleep that night in each other's arms.
The next morning, Jo woke up to the sound of metal clanging together. She got up to investigate. The door to the room next to the bathroom stood open. She had not been in that room as of yet and had never really given thought to it assuming it was a closet. She peeked in the room and then stopped and openly gawked. Alex was lying on a weight bench lifting weights. What she didn't know, was that he had wrestled throughout high school and college and still liked to keep in shape. It was obvious he was muscular, but seeing him there without his shirt she realized just how built he really was.
He finished his reps and sat up seeing Jo in the doorway he said, "Sorry, did I wake you?"
Her eyes trailed down his strong sweaty chest before looking up to meet his, "No," she squeaked out biting her tongue to keep from blurting out, but I wish you would have.
"I'm almost finished here," he informed her.
"Okay," she said still eyeing him, "I'll just.. I'll go take a shower," she turned from the room.
She decided that day she wasn't going to give him a choice. Before he left for class she told him she was making pork chops for dinner and she wanted him there. He agreed.
They sat down that evening to glazed pork chops, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes. Jo made the table look as nice as she could with his mismatched place settings. She sat on one side of the small table and he sat around the corner right beside her. They enjoyed their meal and as it was wrapping up Jo said, "What's going on, Alex? I spoke to you more when we were 2,000 miles apart. Why are you never home?"
He grimaced, "This was a lot and fast; I just wanted to give you space," he said honestly. He had thought he was doing the right thing, the kind thing by not pushing it.
"I don't want space. I had space in Seattle. If I wanted space I'd still be there; it was my decision to come here…" her words slowed and got quieter as she realized, "Oh my gosh, Alex, I'm so sorry," she put her fork down laying her hand on the table next to it, "I just showed up here unannounced. I didn't talk it over with you; I didn't give you a chance to say no. You need space…"
"No," he stated firmly his hand gently covering hers, "I want you here, Jo."
She turned her hand over under his, caressing his palm with her thumb. He looked down to their hands on the table and then up into her eyes. Her breath hitched in her throat when his eyes flicked down to her lips. He stared back into her eyes, licked his lips, and leaned in capturing her mouth in a tender kiss. He brought his free hand up to her cheek. Jo sighed into the kiss, and Alex let go of her hand cupping her face with both of his hands now. His tongue slid along her lips asking for entrance which she eagerly granted. Their tongues hungrily dueled with one another. Jo slid her arms around his neck leaning further into the kiss… and the spell was broken when her chair tipped forward almost dumping her out.
They stared at each other panting. "Maybe we should go to bed," Jo suggested breathlessly reaching for his hand.
"Yeah that's probably a good idea," Alex's voice was husky. He cleared his throat and his head, "but I am sleeping on the couch tonight."
"Alex!" He knew that wasn't what she meant.
"I'm sorry, Jo," he gave her a pained look, "I…"
She took a deep steadying breath, "I know," she shook her head, "It's okay, really." She got up from the table kissing his cheek before clearing their plates. She ran water in the sink to wash their dishes.
"You want some help?" Alex offered.
She turned and smiled at him, "No, I've got it, thanks. I just need a minute." He nodded understanding.
Jo lay awake in bed that night. She wanted to respect his boundaries, she really did, but damn did he make it hard. She sighed reaching over to the empty space beside her. The space where he should be.
Alex wasn't sleeping either. He tossed and turned on the too small couch. He wanted nothing more than to go to her. They were technically married after all. But, he argued with himself, it was just a piece of paper saying they were married their hearts weren't there yet. He had always had a vision of how this would go, and he wanted to be in love. He flopped over on the couch again trying to find a comfortable spot.
He woke early the next morning and took out his frustrations in his makeshift weight room. Pushing his body to its physical limits.
Jo was at the table with a glass of juice when Alex came out for some water. Her eyes traced the sculpted muscles of his arms and chest glistening with sweat. She watched the muscles of his back ripple as he reached up for a cup. She quickly downed the rest of her juice her mouth suddenly dry.
Alex hadn't missed the way she looked at him, or how she looked in the light pink tank top and short shorts she'd slept in the night before. If he wasn't mistaken, and he wasn't, she didn't have a bra on. He used the fact that he was hot and sweaty from lifting as an excuse to splash cold water on his face. He gulped down his water. "Morning Jo," he tried to avert his eyes, tried not to stare.
"Morning," she breathed out having the same problem.
"Well, I'm gonna go shower," he said putting his cup back in the cabinet and moving towards the back of the apartment glancing back at Jo one more time.
"Gross," she muttered pulling his used cup back out. What would he do if I just followed him in there? she wondered fanning herself. But she wasn't going to do that. Instead she decided she would make him breakfast. She fried a couple of eggs and some bacon and had a breakfast sandwich waiting for him before he rushed out the door.
He grabbed his food and his backpack and was headed for the door when Jo stopped him, "Uh uh. We're married; I get a goodbye kiss." She grabbed the front of his t-shirt and pulled him to her.
He smirked, "Yes, dear," he obliged pecking her lips.
Jo met with Callie Torres at her new photography studio mid-morning. Part way through the meeting Jo's phone chimed. She took it out and read the message from Alex: Jo will you go out with me tonight?
Her mouth twitched up in a smile. Like a date?
Yes. Will you go out on a date with me tonight?
I'd love to.
I'll "pick you up" at 7
She put her phone away. "Sorry," she turned her attention back to Callie.
Alex made sure he was out of the bedroom in plenty of time for Jo to get ready for their 7:00 date.
Jo slipped into a navy blue cotton sundress that had a navy lace overlay. The dress hit her a couple inches above the knees and had a low cut v-neck. She slid into a pair of sandals and threw her hair up into a casual ponytail. She had her hand on the bedroom door knob ready to step out when Alex knocked on the door. Smiling she opened it. Alex stood in front of her with a bouquet of flowers in hand. "Oh Alex," Jo breathed taking the flowers from him smelling them.
"Are you ready?"
"Just let me put my flowers in some water." She took care of the flowers and then took Alex's arm letting him lead her to the car.
They had a delicious steak dinner and then Alex showed her some of the highlights of the Houston area. When they got to his college campus, they got out to walk. Jo took Alex's right hand in her left one and held onto his forearm with her other hand. He pointed out different buildings on the campus as they walked. They found a bench and sat under the stars.
"Have you talked to your parents?" Jo asked breaking the amiable silence that had fallen over them. "Do they know I'm living here?"
Alex cringed, "No, actually, they don't know you lived in Seattle. I didn't give much detail when I told them about you." He sighed, "I can't tell them we're living together."
"Maybe you should just tell them you got married," she suggested knowing it must be hard for him to not be honest with his parents.
"I can't. Not yet," he shook his head.
"Are you comfortable with that?" she asked concerned.
He only shrugged in answer.
They finished their tour of the campus and returned home. Alex walked Jo to the bedroom door. "I had a really great time tonight."
"Me too," she smiled up at him. He leaned down gently brushing his lips on hers. She returned the kiss and kissed him again. She wrapped her arms around his neck running her fingers through the short hair at the nape of his neck. His hands rested on her waist and he pulled her closer. They shared a few more chaste kisses reigning in their passion. "Goodnight," she breathed dreamily when they finally pulled apart.
"Goodnight."
Jo was propped up in bed talking to April on the phone when Alex rapped his knuckle on the door twice. She looked up to see him standing in the doorway with his pillow in his arms. She waved him in, "I've gotta go, Ape. I'll talk to you soon…. Okay, love you, Sis. Bye."
Alex stood at the end of the bed, "The couch is really uncomfortable," he said sheepishly, blushing.
"Get in," she grinned at him. She reached up turning the lamp off. She kissed his cheek and rolled over away from him. Their time would come, but she wasn't going to rush him, no matter how badly she wanted to reach over and smooth her hands down his muscular chest and abs, how much she wanted to be pulled into his strong arms.
Alex was grateful that Jo was being so understanding. He yearned to take her in his arms, to kiss those full soft lips, to glide his hands… his body was willing, so willing, but he was certain his heart wasn't ready.