Alexander’s POV

“I was kidding,” she breaks into my head, hitting my arm softly.

Hands already shaking, I force a smile and drop my eyes to her coat. Even when all the droplets of water are gone, I still keep brushing my trembling palm over the woolen fabric.

Sophia goes quiet.

I slowly lift my eyes to hers. Her gaze is warm, bright, hazel, and welcoming, as always. It’s one of the many things about her that broke through my walls to reach my heart.

“Whatever it is,” she whispers, ...