Page 81 of Dream Chaser

A deep sigh left Alejandro’s chest. “I’ve got tons of meetings to get ready for. But if you need me, I’ll stay and—”

I shook my head. “You’ve done more than enough for me already. Thank you.”

“Nothing to thank me for.”

I watched him collect his things. As he paused by the front door, hand on the handle, ready to leave, I faked another smile.

“See you at the office, boss.”

His eyes met mine for a heartbeat. “Take care, Nova.”

Then he was gone.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Nova

November

Lucky for my heart, Alejandro’s commitments had kept him out of the office for the better part of the following two weeks. Our communication had been limited to professional, polite emails.

Him asking about NitroFlow. Me wishing him good luck with Iron Core, who rescheduled the meeting at least three times. Occasionally, a personal question would slip in—like him asking about my appointment with the hematologist. The doctor had confirmed that my iron deficiency was caused by poor nutrition and stress. When I’d told Alejandro that, he’d sent me the recipe for the lentil soup he’d made and reminded me to take my supplements.

All of it was bittersweet. And my feelings were more tangled than the mess of cords behind my office desk.

It was Sunday, and I had to go to the track later, but Scarlett and I agreed to video chat. Back in college, she always used to help me find my way out of any emotional mess. Today more than ever, I needed her to help me sort out my conflicting feelings.

My phone rang at ten a.m. sharp, like we’d agreed. I sat wrapped in a blanket on my new couch and pressed accept.

“I need an apartment tour,” Scarlett said instead of a greeting. I’d told her I’d moved into a new place, skipping the sordid details of me not having a roof over my head for the months prior. I didn’t want her to think she should’ve done something to help.

“Not much to show yet,” I said, turning the phone so she’d see the living room and get a glimpse of the kitchen. “I still need to decorate it, but I have the essentials.”

Scarlett adjusted her glasses, leaning against the headboard. “It looks amazing. I’m so happy things are starting to work out for you.”

“What about you?” I wrapped the blanket around myself tighter. The supplements were slowly starting to help, but I still felt cold most of the time. “Busy, I imagine.”

“The new perfume’s launch has me losing sleep and working on the weekends,” she admitted with a sigh. “I’m happy my father trusted me with the project, but coordinating the marketing campaign with French people using my not-so-stellar French has been a challenge.”

“You’re a fast learner,” I said. “I’m sure it’ll get easier.”

“What about your job? And the boss. . .” Scarlett’s lips tugged into a smirk. She must’ve sensed it wasn’t my work duties I wanted to talk about when I suggested a video chat.

“He has me more confused than your French marketing campaign has you. Guess I should’ve known that sharing a bed with him would make things awkward.”

“Hold the hell on.” Scarlett jerked forward, and the glasses slid off her nose. She put them aside with a huff and narrowed her hazel eyes at me. “Rewind and tell me everything from the start.”

I did, and all the while, she listened attentively, like my life was an episode of her favorite drama series and she was terrified of missing a detail.

“And then.” I paused for greater effect. “He left. And we lived professionally ever after.”

She shook her head, rubbing her glasses with the hem of her pink shirt. “Something doesn’t add up.”

“Just something?” I lay on my side, bringing my bent knees up to my chest. “He’s done more for me than the man I unfortunately married ever did. Gave me a purse by an expensive Spanish brand just because I stared at it when we were in Barcelona. Threw me a birthday party. Took me to the ER, cooked for me, and spent the night so I wouldn’t be alone if I felt worse.” And that didn’t even cover half of it.

Alejandro had never been inappropriate. Never made me uncomfortable. But did men really go the extra mile for a woman they only saw as their employee? I rubbed my palms over my face. “I need some clarity, Scar, because right now, it feels like I’m losing my mind. I know he’s caring. I’ve been telling myself he’d probably do the same for anyone, but. . .”

Would he really share his bed with Eleanor or Miles?