Alex had always been distant when it came to feelings. He wasn’t the type to spill his heart or chase after someone when things got tense. But you knew he loved you—even when he was terrible at showing it.

Tonight, though, you’d barely spoken a word to him since dinner. You sat on one end of the couch, scrolling on your phone, fuming in silence. Alex kept glancing over, his brows furrowed, clearly uncomfortable in the icy distance between you.

Finally, he shifted closer, his voice low. “Are you gonna keep ignoring me all night?”

You shot him a glare, refusing to answer. His jaw flexed, like he was trying to figure out the right thing to say but kept coming up empty. For a moment, it looked like he might give up. But then, hesitantly, he reached for your hand, his thumb brushing over your knuckles.

“I…I don’t know how to fix this,” Alex admitted, his voice rough. “But tell me what you need. Please.”

Your chest softened at his sincerity, the storm inside you settling just a little as he tugged you gently into his lap, wrapping his arms around you.