Chris studied Alex's face with a mixture of curiosity and unease. "What's with that look? Do you know her? Or do you look that way because you also think I confessed to her way too early?"
"Can you describe her?" Alex asked causing Chris to raise a brow, his expression quizzical.
"What's going on?"
Alex's hand froze mid-air as he reached for his phone. His chest tightened with a mix of protectiveness and disbelief. Of all the won in the city, it had to be Claire. He didn't answer imdiately, his silence making Chris's frown deepen.
"Wait." Chris sat up straighter, realization creeping into his voice. "Sterling. Claire Sterling... You're Alexander Sterling. Are you saying...? Don't tell she's...." he let the words trail off, unable to complete them.
Different thoughts ran through Chris's mind as he looked at Alex, his disbelief evident in his eyes.
Though he had always heard Alex ntion he had two sisters, Alex hadn't ntioned their nas so he wouldn't have known.
"It couldn't be, right?" Chris asked again.
Alex sighed and finally picked up his phone. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Let confirm sothing first," he said but Chris's mind wasn't there anymore.
Alex scrolled through his photo gallery, searching for a picture of Claire. When he found it, he turned the screen toward Chris.
"Is this the Claire you're talking about?" he asked, his gaze not leaving Chris's eyes.
Chris leaned in, and his breath caught when he saw the image. There was no mistaking her sharp blue eyes, confident smile, and the graceful posture that had caught his attention.
"Yes," he said softly, his gaze flicking back to Alex. "That's her. Is she... is she your sister?"
Alex nodded slowly, watching Chris's reaction closely. He felt a pang of discomfort seeing the stunned look on his friend's face.
Though he didn't have a problem with his friend liking Claire, he was worried. Not for his friendship with Christopher but because of Claire and how she must've taken things especially since Chris said he had confessed to her.
Chris leaned back, rubbing the back of his neck. "I can't believe this. I an, I noticed the sa last na, but... I didn't connect the dots," Chris said as a sigh escaped his lips.
A sudden laugh bubbled out of Alex, unexpected and filled with relief. Thinking about how jealous and frustrated he had felt when he thought Emma was probably out with a strange guy.
He hadn't realized how badly the situation had been for him and how he had felt like Emma was slipping away from him until his brain registered the fact that Chris was the Chris Claire was talking about and that he was interested in Claire not Emma.
"What a relief!" He muttered under his breath.
Chris narrowed his eyes. "What's so funny?" Chris asked suspiciously.
Alex waved a hand, his grin fading into a serious expression. "Nothing. I just... it's a long story. But I need to make one thing clear right now: Claire is off-limits," he said bringing them back to the issue at hand.
Chris blinked, his expression shifting from surprise to frustration. "Off-limits? Why? Is it because of the age difference? Alex, I'm thirty-five, not so college kid. And Claire's what? Forty-seven? Fifty? It's not that big a deal."
He couldn't believe Alex would even tell him this. How could he? Alex knew him so he should also know he wouldn't be talking about Claire if he wasn't serious.
Alex leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk as his eyes darkened. "This isn't just about the age difference, Chris. It's about Claire. She's been through things... really serious things when she was younger. Things that shaped her in ways you can't even begin to imagine. And I'm sure it's because of that she ran off after you told her about your emotions," Alex explained, his expression forlorn.
Chris's brow furrowed. "What kind of things? What happened to her?"
Though he had thought about it, he hadn't thought it was sothing as serious as this. What teenage trauma could she have? What could've happened? He mused, waiting for Alex to tell him all he needed to know.
Alex hesitated, his protective instincts kicking in. Sharing Claire's story wasn't his place. But he had to make Chris understand the gravity of the situation.
"That's not for to tell," he said finally. "It's her story, and if you're serious about her, you'll have to earn her trust to hear it. But know this—she doesn't let people in easily. Not anymore. Not after what happened. It was really bad for a girl her age."
Chris leaned back, absorbing Alex's words. "What? Now I'm even more determined. I'm serious about her, Alex. I wouldn't have brought her up if I wasn't. She's... different. There's sothing about her. I don't know how to explain it, but I can't stop thinking about her. And now, I want to be the reason she opens up and accepts her past."
That had to be it. She probably wasn't reconciled with whatever happened to her years ago. He needed to get her to open up first if he wanted her to accept him. Chris thought, his determination evident on his face.
Alex studied his best friend closely, looking for any sign of insincerity. Chris wasn't the type to play gas, but this was Claire they were talking about. "If that's true, then you'll have to be patient," Alex said finally. "She's not just anyone, Chris. She's my sister. And she's been through enough. If you hurt her..." His voice trailed off, the warning in his tone unmistakable.
Chris nodded, his jaw set with determination. "I understand. And I wouldn't hurt her, Alex. I'd never do that. I'm not going to rush this, but I'm not giving up, either."
For a mont, they sat in silence, the weight of the conversation settling between them. Alex's mind raced, replaying mories of Claire's resilience and the walls she'd built to protect herself. He knew she deserved happiness, but could Chris be the one to give it to her?
Chris broke the silence with a small smile. "This makes things interesting, doesn't it?"
Alex shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "That's one way to put it. Just rember, Claire isn't just anyone. She's family. If you're serious, you'll have to prove yourself."
Chris t his gaze, his voice steady. "I will," he said and then realization dawned on him when his mind registered the word, "family."
"Shit," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
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