Page 64 of Dream Chaser

October

Eleanor eyed us curiously as we approached the table together but said nothing. It was easier to let her assume whatever she wanted than waste time denying it.

Not that there was anything going on.

A waitress brought Nova’s cake. As we sang Happy Birthday, I couldn’t help but notice how happy she looked and how her eyes shone. The sadness I’d seen in her features had been less frequent lately. It was a relief. Especially knowing the bonus I’d given her had something to do with it. Hopefully, it’d be enough for her to rent her own place and finally start over.

Nova blew out the candles, and we sat to eat. A few minutes later, her phone rang. The light in her eyes dimmed, like someone flipped an invisible switch, and her shoulders tensed. She silenced the call. The cell buzzed once more, interrupting her conversation with Eleanor.

“Excuse me.” She stood, staring at the screen, and rushed toward the deck. I had a pretty good idea who was calling.

Eleanor watched her with concern, forking her cake. “I bet that’s her ex calling to spoil the evening.”

Not on my fucking watch.

I shot to my feet, muttering an excuse, and followed her, ignoring the sensible side of my brain screaming at me to calm the fuck down.

Nova stood by the railing, clutching her phone. The conversation had been brief, and I didn’t even have a fucking excuse to justify going after her.

“Nova,” I called.

She turned, her hand with the phone pressed to her chest. “Is something wrong?”

That was what I wanted to know—and her glassy eyes were enough of an answer.

“What happened?” I asked, drawing nearer. “You look upset.”

“I’m not upset.” She exhaled, shaking her head. “I’m fed up. How hard is it to just accept those papers? Why does he need to make everything so complicated?”

“Your divorce papers?”

She nodded. “He’s hiding. And I told him I know that he is. He won’t be able to do it forever, not with the elections approaching. He’s just making everything difficult on purpose to hurt me. Sorry.” She rubbed her palms over her face. “I shouldn’t be telling you any of this.”

Hiding? No surprise there. He did look like a coward. “You can tell me anything,” I said. “Next time he calls, don’t pick up.”

She shrugged. “I didn’t at first, but then he texted. I would’ve blocked his number if it wouldn’t make things worse for me.”

“Worse for you how?” I inched closer until her scent filled the air between us. Sweet. Already familiar.

I stepped back, mentally berating myself for not listening to my sensible side day after day. I needed to get a grip. She was my employee, and what I was doing verged on inappropriate.

“I need to know what he’s up to,” she said. “He’s yet to mail the house keys to my lawyer, and some of my things are still at his place, but please, let’s not talk about him anymore. This is the best birthday I’ve had in years.”

If this informal gathering was the best birthday, what were the others like? Her alone, no gifts, no attention? “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”

Nova looked at her feet, her cheeks flushed. “I loved the gift, by the way. Thank you.”

“It’s from all of us.” We both knew that was bullshit.

“Thank you to all of you, then.” Nova’s lips curved in a soft smile. “But especially you.”

Another tilt of her lips. Her gaze caught mine and held it hostage for a few heartbeats.

Warmth pooled in my chest. “Let’s head back.”

Better not to think about why I couldn’t stay away from the one person I could never get involved with.

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