“Alex? What are you doing here? You should still be sleeping. Why are you awake?” he asked hesitantly.

“I was bored, so I came out to play. Why aren’t you asleep?” she responded, placing the cup on the table.

Eric walked towards Alex, taking the warm beverage from her hands and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him.

“No, because I wanted to check up on you,” Eric answered, running his hands up and down Alex’s upper back soothingly.

Alex leaned her head against his shoulder and stared at him intently, a small smile playing on her lips. “You care about me that much?” she asked...