Page 56 of Dream Chaser

Another pause, then he heaved a sigh. “You said you were a few blocks away. Not at home, then?”

I averted my gaze to a couple strolling down the street, the man’s arm around the woman’s shoulders. A wave of loneliness crested over me. I’d felt it for a while, even when I’d lived with Preston. Especially then.

“No,” I said. “I’m out.”

Papers shuffled, followed by Alejandro’s exhale. “See you at the office then.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Alejandro

September

Itook pride in making sensible decisions most of the time. That ability seemed to have vanished the moment Nova Lockhart entered the picture, or, more accurately, my agency.

Why had I asked her to come over? There was no need to work alone with her in an empty office on a Friday night. I would have figured out the pitch deck on my own like so many other times, even if it took me hours. I rubbed the back of my neck, sighing. Working evenings and weekends as a business owner came with the job, but she’d been putting in too many hours lately. Even though she offered to help, it seemed unfair.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway seconds before Nova appeared. Unbidden, my gaze lingered on her face. Delicate makeup, the softest hint of color on her cheeks. And sad eyes. They were always sad, and a part of me I had little control over wanted to change that.

“Good evening,” Nova said, crossing toward me. “Made any progress yet?”

I shook my head. “Been waiting for you.”

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly. “Here I am. Thanks for letting me help.” She lowered herself into a chair in front of my desk.

“Thank you for choosing this over a hundred more exciting plans you could have on a Friday night.”

She snorted, tucking a bright auburn strand behind her ear. “Well, it was this or going back to Eleanor’s. Don’t get me wrong,” she added hastily, “she’s amazing. I feel comfortable at her place, but her family’s visiting, and I didn’t want to intrude.”

“I’m sure you weren’t intruding.” Someone with Nova’s sense of tact wouldn’t.

“I’d rather focus on work than stay home and replay…” She trailed off, studying her nails.

“The meeting with the divorce attorney?” I prompted.

She shook her head. “That went well. The meeting with Preston after not so much. My husband,” she clarified, as if I hadn’t obsessively studied everything I could about him. Asher would’ve given me unending crap if he’d found out.

“Why did you go to see him?” I said, too harshly, and instantly regretted my tone. She could see whoever she wanted. None of my business.

Nova lifted and dropped a shoulder. “He took the keys to my grandmother’s house, and I wanted them back.”

“Did he give them to you?”

She shook her head, averting her gaze to the desk lamp. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you hire me?”

I’d bet all my money the question was because of something that asshole had said. Annoyance simmered under my skin. I pushed the laptop aside.

“Because of your photographs. I was tired of pointless interviews, and those motocross pictures were great. Asher thought the same. You’re talented.”

“My dad always said that,” Nova whispered. “He liked motocross, and we went to some events together.” A sad laugh slipped past her lips. “He didn’t get to have a son, but he did everything he wanted with me. Playing football. Teaching me to do repairs at home. It drove my mother up the wall.”

“Why?”

“Not suitable for a girl.” She grimaced. “Like I didn’t take care of everything in the house when I got married, anyway. But I guess that doesn’t count. I should’ve been grateful for not working.”