If Only (GxG)

Chapter 12 Navigation

Her head snaps up, a flash of surprise in her eyes.

"Alison, what—?"

Rather than answer directly, I circle around her desk and gently push her chair back.

She looks at me, startled and irritated, but I ignore the warning in her gaze. Slipping onto her lap, I loop an arm around her neck, forcing her to look at me.

"Tell me what's really going on," I say quietly, heart pounding. The warmth of her body beneath me collides with the tension pouring off her in waves.

She stays rigid for a moment, then her arms creep around my waist, and a shaky sigh escapes her. Slowly, her posture sags. "I can't hide anything from you," she murmurs. "Even when I want to."

I press my forehead to hers. "You don't have to hide from me, Blake," I whisper, voice tinged with concern.

She swallows, brow creasing. "I—" Another sigh, then she meets my eyes. "I'm sorry," she says quietly, and I hear genuine regret in her voice. "I shouldn't have snapped at you. This morning's been... difficult, and I've been taking it out on everyone, including you. And that's not fair."

Relief unfurls in my chest. "It's okay," I reassure her, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. "I can tell something's bothering you, but if you don't want to talk about it yet, that's fine. Just—please—don't shut me out completely."

She closes her eyes, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. "I know. I'm not used to... letting people in," she admits. "But you're the last person I want to push away."

My hand drifts to her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I'm here for you, whenever you're ready. We'll figure this out, whatever it is."

Her eyes reopen, and she offers a ghost of a smile. "Thank you."

I exhale a soft breath, relieved by the slight thaw in her demeanor. "I, uh... actually came here for a different reason." I feel a surge of nerves again—the real reason I came: to check on her, yes, but also something else altogether.

"Oh?" she prompts, arching an eyebrow, though her tone holds a fraction of its usual warmth now.

I slide an arm around her shoulders. "But mostly I wanted to see you," I reply softly. "To make sure we're... okay."

The tight line of her mouth eases. Her arms around my waist shift, pulling me closer. "I'm sorry again," she reiterates, voice low and remorseful. "I shouldn't let a bad day or my own worries get in the way of us."

I shake my head, pressing a light kiss to her temple. "It's new for both of us, navigating... this. It's not easy," I say, voice laced with equal parts sympathy and understanding. "But we'll figure it out."

She sighs again, the lingering tension dissipating a bit more. "You're right. We'll figure it out."

I lean in until our foreheads brush. "Good. Because I know how you can cheer me up," I tease with a faint grin, hoping to lighten the mood.

She quirks an eyebrow, and a faint curve appears on her lips. "I suppose I can guess," she says, voice dipping.

With careful tenderness, she cups my cheek and leans in for a soft kiss. Her lips, at first hesitant, gradually press more firmly, until I find myself clinging to her shoulders to steady the rush of feeling that courses through me.