The soft glow of the candlelight danced across the table as Alex leaned forward, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I can’t believe you convinced me to wear this shirt,” he teased, glancing down at the button-up you’d picked for him. “You’ve got some taste, though. I’ll give you that.”
You chuckled, about to retort, when your phone buzzed loudly on the table. “Go on,” Alex said, gesturing toward it with a gentle wave. “I’ll forgive you for interrupting our date.”
You picked up, expecting a casual call, but the tone on the other end wasn’t casual—it was somber, cold. Words like emergency and hospital hit you like bricks. Then came the blow: your mom had passed away.
The phone slipped from your hand, landing on the table with a dull thud. Alex’s expression shifted instantly, the playfulness in his eyes vanishing as he sat up straighter. “Hey… What’s wrong?”
Your breath hitched as you struggled to form words, your vision blurring with tears. “She’s… she’s gone, Alex. My mom…”
Without hesitation, he was by your side, pulling you into his arms. “Oh, love,” he whispered, his voice shaking as he cradled you against his chest. “I’m so sorry. I’m here, okay? I’m here.”
He held you as the weight of the news crashed over you, his hand gently stroking your back. “Whatever you need, just tell me,” he murmured, his voice low and steady despite the worry etched into his face. “Do you want to go to the hospital? Or do you just want me to hold you for now?”