Page 78 of Dream Chaser

“Yeah. I haven’t slept for so long in forever. What time is it?”

“Two,” he said. “You needed rest. Coffee?”

“Yes, please.” I bunched the hem of my hoodie in my fist as he poured me a mug. “I saw the bookcase and the desk. Thank you. You didn’t have to.”

He shrugged, handing me the drink. “I woke up early. Figured I’d put them together, so you don’t have to. Just tell me where you want them.”

“That’s nice of you. I can’t believe I didn’t wake up from all the racket.”

Smiling with one corner of his mouth, he picked up a screwdriver and waved it in the air. “I used the silent tool. How are you feeling?”

Warmth climbed up my neck and stopped at my cheeks. He was thoughtful enough not to ruin my sleep. Preston would’ve made a show of stomping around and slamming cabinets until I was awake too.

“Better. I was thinking of going to the track with Asher later.”

Alejandro shook his head. “Absolutely not. I already told him you’re sick. You two can reschedule. I’m going to make lunch. Sit and rest.”

I sat at the table, sipping coffee. Alejandro pulled out steaks, salad vegetables, and quinoa from the pantry. My chest squeezed. Having him in my space, taking care of me, felt domestic. Like he belonged here. I could get used to it, but I shouldn’t. My heart couldn’t survive disappointment. Another mistake.

Especially when I was still married to the biggest mistake I’d ever made.

“You missed work again,” I whispered.

And he did that to take care of me. Was sleeping in his employee’s bed, cooking for her, and assembling her furniture something he’d normally do?

He glanced at me over his shoulder, then went on to wash tomatoes and lettuce. “I couldn’t leave without knowing how you felt first.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

Alejandro tensed. Or maybe it just seemed that way. I left the empty mug on the table and clasped my shaky hands on my knees.

“But you can go if you have somewhere to be,” I hedged.

He put a handful of ripe red tomatoes on the cutting board. “We’ll eat first, and I’ll wait for the couch to be delivered. You shouldn’t move anything heavy. Besides,” he added, sinking the knife into a tomato, “I already took care of the urgent stuff. Cris said everything’s under control in Spain too.”

She did seem competent. And confident. Way more than me.

“Has she been working with you for a long time?”

The question slipped out of my mouth, and regret flooded me. I shouldn’t have asked.

“Yeah,” he said, the defined muscles of his back rippling under his black T-shirt as he continued chopping vegetables. “We go way back.”

“I see,” I whispered, hating myself for bringing her up. I was better off not knowing. Working together didn’t mean a romantic relationship. This jealousy was unfounded and ridiculous.

He tipped the sliced tomatoes into a glass bowl and turned to me. “You’ll see her again when we’re in Spain.”

I wasn’t sure I was ready for that, but I nodded and forced a smile.

***

After lunch, we sat on my bed with two cups of coffee. Alejandro worked on his laptop, and I took mine despite his insistence that I should get some rest.

“Need help?” I asked as he clicked on a presentation for a sportswear brand.

He glanced over at me. “No. Watch a movie. Nap. Consider yourself on mandatory sick leave until further notice.”

“My boss is bossy.”