Page 18 of The Perfect Divorce

“Of course.” He shrugs. “It’s the least I could do, especially considering you’re giving me something no one else has.”

“And what’s that?”

“A second chance.”

His eyes lock with mine, and it’s like we’re studying each other, deciding on boundaries, whether to keep them where they are or maybe push them a little. The reporters are still standing outside, yelling muffled questions.

“It’s the least anyone can do,” I say.

He smiles, and then his face turns serious. “Ya know, I don’t know everything that’s going on... I picked up the gist of it from those banshee reporters.” Alejandro motions to the door. “But I’m here if you wanna talk.”

“Thanks, but I’m fine,” I say because this isn’t something I want to talk about with him or anyone, for that matter. This all should have stayed in the past where it belongs.

“How’s the apartment?” I ask only to change the subject before he pries any further.

“It’s great. I wasn’t expecting it to be so nice.”

“It’s meant to reflect what you’re capable of achieving. Sometimes we have to see ourselves as the person we want to be before we can become that person.”

“That’s a good sentiment,” Alejandro says. “The clothes fit nicely too.” He gestures to his outfit.

My eyes skim from the white tennis shoes to the blue jeans to the waffle-knit, long-sleeve top that fits like a second skin.

“They do.”

He rocks back on his heels and cracks a small smile. “Well, I should leave you to it. I don’t wanna take up any more of your time, and I’ve got some more job applications to fill out anyway.” He folds his lips in.

“How’s that going?”

“Really well... that is, until they find out I have a felony conviction.” He shrugs. “I’ve actually been looking for a while, but I’m hoping with the help of your foundation’s career resources, I won’t be looking for much longer.”

“I hope so too. Removing the barrier to employment for people with felon status is a major focus for the foundation.” I stare into his eyes, mulling over an idea that’d be mutually beneficial for the two of us. “You know, I might have something for you. If you’re interested. It’s temporary, but it’d give you something to do and some extra cash.”

“I am,” he says without hesitation. “I’d take anything at this point.”

“Anything?” I arch a brow.

“Anything legal, I mean.”

I notice a shade of crimson settles onto his cheeks as I fish a pad of paper and a pen from my purse and scribble down an address.

The sound of heels rapidly crossing the lobby floor catches my attention, and I glance over my shoulder to find Anne racing toward me. I tear the paper from the pad and fold it up before slipping the pen and notebook back in my bag.

“Sarah! Oh, thank God, there you are!” Anne exclaims, slowing her pace now that she’s located me. “I’m so sorry. One of the associates just noticed all the news vans parked out front. I swear they weren’t here when we arrived. Did they swarm you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, and yeah, they did. But luckily, Alejandro happened to be in the area, and he got me out of there.”

Anne looks up at him, grinning as she extends her hand. “That is lucky. It’s nice to see you again.”

“Likewise,” he says, shaking her hand.

“What the hell is going on out there?” Roger yells as he shuffles into the lobby. He’s an older man with a bad back and a nicotine problem. Despite that, he’s tough as nails.

“It’s the media, Roger,” Anne says.

“You mean, fake news?” He chuckles to himself. The stench of cigarette smoke reaches us before he does. “What do they want?”

“Doesn’t matter what they want, because they always want more,” I say.

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