Sophia hadn't expected the evening to linger in her mind as much as it did.
She had spent countless nights alone with Leo, attending school events and playing the role of both parents. It was her normal. Her safe, predictable routine. But last night, Alexander had effortlessly stepped in, and suddenly, she was seeing a different kind of future—one that terrified and thrilled her at the same time.
Could she really allow herself to want this?
The next morning, she stood in her small kitchen, sipping her coffee as Leo chattered about last night's event.
"And did you see when I won the game? Mr. Alexander was cheering so loud!" Leo beamed.
Sophia laughed softly. "Yes, I saw. He was really proud of you."
Leo looked up at her, his expression turning serious. "He likes you, you know."
Her stomach flipped. "Leo—"
"He does," her son insisted. "And I think you like him too."
Sophia opened her mouth to protest, but the doorbell rang, saving her from having to answer.
She frowned. It was still early. Who could it be?
She set down her coffee and made her way to the door. When she opened it, her breath hitched.
Alexander.
Dressed in a crisp white shirt, the top buttons undone, and dark slacks that fit him perfectly, he looked effortlessly refined. His eyes met hers, and that familiar spark ignited in her chest.
"Good morning," he greeted smoothly, holding up a brown paper bag. "I come bearing breakfast."
Sophia blinked. "You—what?"
He smirked. "I figured after last night, you might need a break. Fresh croissants, coffee, and some fruit. Can I come in?"
She hesitated for only a second before stepping aside, letting him in.
Leo, still in his pajamas, ran over. "Mr. Alexander!"
Alexander knelt slightly to ruffle his hair. "Hey, champ. You hungry?"
Leo nodded enthusiastically. "Mom's pancakes are good, but sometimes she burns them."
"Hey!" Sophia shot her son a playful glare as Alexander chuckled.
"I guess it's a good thing I brought backups, then," he teased, setting the bag down on the counter.
As they sat down for breakfast, Sophia found herself watching him again. He was so at ease, so effortlessly slipping into her life, as if he had always been meant to be there.
But that was the dangerous part, wasn't it?
Because if she let herself believe in this, if she let herself fall… what happened if he left?
Halfway through breakfast, her phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up, her stomach tightening when she saw the name flashing on the screen.
Ryan.
Her ex.
Her grip on the phone tightened, the easy warmth of the morning suddenly feeling like a distant memory.
Alexander noticed. "Everything okay?"
Sophia forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… unexpected."
Leo, oblivious to the sudden shift in mood, continued munching on his croissant.
Sophia stood, walking to the other side of the room as she answered the call.
"Ryan?"
"Hey, Soph," came the voice she hadn't heard in over a year. "I… I was hoping we could talk."
Her heart pounded. "About what?"
There was a pause. "About Leo. And about me coming back."
Her fingers tightened around the phone. She felt Alexander's eyes on her, steady and unwavering, as if he knew—knew—that whatever was happening right now had the power to shake the fragile foundation she and Leo had been building.
And for the first time in a long time, she realized she didn't want to face it alone.
She turned, locking eyes with Alexander.
Maybe he was a risk.
But maybe… he was a risk worth taking.