Chapter 14
Coffee with Alexander was not glamorous.
I chose a diner near my apartment.
The table wobbled.
The coffee was too strong.
The waitress called everyone honey.
Alexander arrived in a sweater instead of a suit and still looked like money trying to dress down.
I laughed when I saw him.
“What?”
“You look like a billionaire undercover as a substitute teacher.”
He smiled.
“I’ll work on it.”
We talked for two hours.
Not about Tiffany.
Not about Garrett.
About books.
Music.
My mother’s terrible cooking.
His father, who had built wealth and affection with equal silence.
“I grew up in rooms where no one yelled,” Alexander said.
“That sounds peaceful.”
“It was not. It was just quiet punishment.”
I understood that.
After coffee, he walked me home but stopped at the corner.
“May I continue?”
I looked at him.
Most men assumed.
He asked.
“Yes.”
At my building, he did not try to kiss me.
Part of me was relieved.
Part of me was annoyed.
He read that too and smiled.
“Good night, Mara.”
“You’re very controlled.”
“I’m trying to be respectful.”
“Those aren’t always the same thing.”
His smile faded slightly.
“Noted.”
Then he leaned down, slowly enough that I could step back.
I did not.
The kiss was gentle.
Brief.
Mine to end.
When I went upstairs, my mother was waiting on the sofa.
“Well?”
I touched my lips.
“He asked permission.”
May you like
She smiled.
“That is a start.”
