When Alec Met Evie (Appies, #6)

by Jenny Proctor

I take a shower and put on a pair of leggings and my Cornell hoodie. Megan’s parents bought it for me at one of Alec’s college games, and it’s been one of my favorites ever since. I almost pick something else—I don’t want Alec to think I picked it because of him— but it really is the softest and the warmest, so I leave it and push my worries from my mind. For all I know, Alec has gone to bed and won’t even see my hoodie. I’m tempted to climb into bed and crash myself, but Ruth’s chicken pot pie is the only thing I’ve eaten today, and that was hours ago. I’ll head to the grocery store tomorrow, but for now, I hope Alec has a stocked pantry. I’m halfway down the back stairwell when my nose picks up the smell of something cooking, and my stomach lets out a low rumble. I find Alec in the kitchen in front of the stove, sliding a sandwich onto a plate. After everything he’s done for me already, it feels selfish to hope he’s making it for me, but my mouth is watering before I’ve even reached the counter. When Alec smiles and nudges the plate toward me, it’s all I can do not to whimper out loud. “I’m not much of a cook,” he says. “But I thought you might be hungry.” “Starving,” I say. “Whatever it is, it smells amazing.” “Fried egg, cheddar, and bacon,” he says. “Breakfast food is pretty much all that’s in my wheelhouse.” I pick up the sandwich and take an enormous bite, not even caring that Alec is watching me so intently. I close my eyes as a low groan sounds in the back of my t...