Page 61 of Dream Chaser

My phone buzzed again.

My mother. She finally remembered she had a daughter. I pressed the cell to my ear, bracing for another speech like Donna’s. “Hi, Mom.”

My mother sniffled. “I wasn’t sure you’d pick up. Happy Birthday, Nova.”

It wasn’t even nine, and I’d already run out of my daily allotment of patience. “Thanks, Mom. And I’ve always picked up when you call. You’re the one who stopped answering after I told you about the divorce. In case you want to know how it’s going, my attorney said Preston’s hiding. Tell him to stop if you see him in town.”

“He left you a birthday gift.” No more fake sniffling—her voice hardened to its usual tone.

“A mop to go with the Hoover?”

“You’re being unreasonable. He’s not hiding. He just doesn’t want to get divorced because he cares about your marriage.”

I nearly choked on my cold coffee. Since when did he care about anything besides himself?

This was beginning to resemble a record player whose needle got stuck on the same annoying song. No matter what Preston did, my mother would always find an excuse.

“Did you call because it’s my birthday, or to vouch for my ex-husband?”

My mother’s long exhale told me the answer. “I’d hoped you had come to your senses by now.”

“And I hoped your daughter would matter more to you than the mistake she married.” I set my empty mug in the sink, checking the time. Work started in fifteen minutes. “I have to go. I’m going to be late for work.”

“When are you going to pick up the gift?”

I swallowed a groan. “Give it to Donna. The only gift I need is a divorce.”

***

A stunning bouquet of white roses sat on my office desk.

“Happy birthday, Nova.” Levi grinned, handing me a large silver gift bag. “From all of us.”

Heat swallowed my cheeks. I didn’t expect this—not the flowers and the gift, not everyone’s warm smiles.

Everyone’s, except Alejandro’s—he wasn’t here. He must’ve been at a meeting, and I hated how disappointed it made me.

I set the box of donuts I bought for everyone on my desk and took the bag from him. “Thank you.”

Eleanor winked. “Come on. Open it.”

I pulled out a black box with the logo I remembered from a storefront window while we were in Barcelona. Pulse quickening, I lifted the lid. Nestled on top of the fabric garment bag, wrapped in tissue paper, lay the burgundy purse I’d coveted.

My breath stilled. I ran my fingers over the soft, pebbled leather, blinking away the sudden tears.

It might’ve been a gift from everyone, but only one incredibly thoughtful person had chosen it. I wished he was here to thank, but maybe it was for the best. I’d turn into an emotional mess, and Alejandro had seen me cry too many times already.

“I love it,” I said, voice wavering. “Thank you so much.”

“Enjoy.” Levi winked. “We’ll celebrate later.”

Everyone cleared out, and I sat down to work. I tried to focus on Asher’s posts for Aeterno, pushing the thoughts about my divorce and my boss aside for now.

I couldn’t allow myself to see Alejandro as anything other than my thoughtful boss. Most importantly, I couldn’t let myself see him as a man.

***

Appetite reminded me of Manu’s place in Barcelona. The dim lighting and wooden tables were similar; so was the instrumental music floating through the hidden overhead speakers.