Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 65

Chapter 65: Beauty & Xander

“My name’s Xander,” Alex said, extending his hand. “And I just want to keep you company until your husband comes back. That is, if you don’t mind.”

Pretending to consider, Emma finally agreed after a moment. “Alright, Xander. Keep me company,” she said, and Alex nodded, flashing her a dimpled smile that Emma hadn’t noticed before.

Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she found herself lost, just staring at him.

“Thank you for giving me the privilege to sit with a beautiful woman like you,” Alex said, bringing Emma out of her reverie.

“So, beautiful, may I know your name, or should I just call you Beauty?” He teased, and Emma raised a brow.

“Why Beauty?” Emma asked, amused.

“Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Your presence lights up the room,” Alex said smoothly, surprised at himself.

Emma laughed. “I give up!” she blurted, unable to keep up with Alex, who was teasing her. Her heart was fluttering too much at his endless compliments, and she didn’t know how long it would be before she developed a heart problem.

“Give up what?” Alex asked, feigning confusion. “Did I do something wrong?”

Emma looked at him for a moment and then shook her head. “Never mind,” Emma replied, giggling.

“So, what are you doing here alone, Xander?” Emma asked, and he shook his head.

“I was here with someone, but like your husband, she seemed to have disappeared,” Alex said, and Emma nodded.

“Alright. Why don’t we eat together then? It’s food for two, like you said,” Emma said, and Alex smiled.

“I hope your husband won’t mind,” he asked, and she shook her head.

“I’m sure he’s eating wherever he is. So, let’s eat,” she said, gesturing to the table. Alex nodded as he picked up his cutlery to eat, too.

Their playful banter continued through dinner. Alex, still pretending to be Xander, teased Emma endlessly, calling her Beauty. By the time they finished, Emma’s cheeks hurt from laughing, and Alex couldn’t stop smiling.

“What’s taking your husband so long to return?” Alex asked after they were done with dinner and Emma shrugged.

“I don’t know. I’ll just go settle the bills, and then we can leave,” she said before signaling the waiter to get their bills.

Emma took out her card, and after paying for the bills, she and Alex stepped out of the restaurant.

“I have to leave now, Beauty. Can you wait for your husband by yourself?” he asked, and she nodded.

“I’m sure he’s around somewhere,” Emma said, and Alex nodded.

“Can I have your number? I’d really like to keep in touch,” he said, extending his phone to her.

Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Alex quickly cut in again. “I know you want to say no. But trust me, I just want us to be friends. That’s all,” he said, and Emma struck her tongue to her cheek to keep herself from laughing.

“Alright,” she said and then typed in her number. She raised a brow when she saw that her contact information wasn’t saved on the phone.

Did that mean Alex deleted her number for this ruse? Or he didn’t have her contact information saved before?

She opened her mouth to ask him but closed it on a second thought.

“See you some other time, Xander,” she said, and Alex nodded. He took her hand and lifted it to his lips.

Emma felt a jolt of electricity pass through her the moment his lips connected with the back of her palm, and she quickly pulled her hands away.

“Take care,” Alex said before turning and walking away.

Emma watched him leave, her heart beating rapidly. Why did she feel that way? It was just a harmless kiss on the hand. Was all this the product of her reckless thought the other day? She mused and then shook her head as she raised her hand to fan herself.

She was still busy doing that when Alex appeared before her. “Where have you been, Em? I’ve been searching for you,” he said, and she raised a brow.

“I should be asking you that,” she said, and Alex sighed.

“I lost my way,” he said and Emma couldn’t help bursting into a peal of laughter.

“What? Are you being serious?” She asked and even Alex burst into laughter.

“I agree; that was such a big lie. Can you not make me lie by asking me where I’ve been?” he asked, and Emma smiled.

“If you say so, let’s go then,” she said, and Alex nodded, glad she was leaving it at that.

As they drove home, the atmosphere in the car was relaxed and warm. The soft hum of jazz music filled the space as Emma rested her head against the window, gazing at the city lights.

“Hey,” Alex said, breaking the silence. “Thanks for tonight. I haven’t laughed this much in ages.”

Emma turned to him, her smile gentle. “Me neither. We should do this more often.”

“Yeah, I think so, too,” Alex said before focusing on the road ahead.

The moment they arrived home, Emma stepped into the house, the warmth of the evening air still clinging to her skin.

She kicked off her heels at the door and let out a soft sigh, her mind still swirling with thoughts of their amusing dinner.

“You want something to drink before you head to bed?” Alex asked, setting his keys down on the coffee table.

Emma hesitated, glancing at him. “Sure. Just a small glass of wine,” she said, sinking onto the plush couch.

As Alex poured the wine, Emma glanced around the living room. She spotted the photo on the mantle—a picture of Alex with his sister Claire.

Although she had seen it before, this was the first time she was studying the picture.

They looked so happy and carefree, a stark contrast to Alex’s relationship with Margaret and Jake. This made her think of the complicated dynamics of family.

Alex returned with two glasses and handed one to her before sitting beside her. “Penny for your thoughts?”

Emma took a sip of her wine, stalling. “Just thinking about how different our lives are,” she admitted.

He tilted his head. “Different, how?”

She gestured to the photo. “You have a family that supports you. A sister who’s fiercely loyal despite you only being adopted. I envy that, sometimes.”