Page 24 of Pick Six

“Yes, but attendance has been down year over year. Our director is a little stifling too. She doesn’t want to try new exhibits or programs to try and change the demographics of attendance. She’s a nice person but she’s way too concerned with the ‘way they’ve always done things’. You know?”

“I guess. Coaches can be like that sometimes too. So what, they’re pressing you all to use your connections?”

“If we have them. Yes. When they found out I know some of the people I know—because most people in this industry know who Violet is and who she’s married to—then the pressure was on to see if I could get her to help. Now that they know about you… that’s not going to stop either. I’m really sorry about dragging you into it.”

“It’s fine. I told you; I want to help. I owe you anyway. You’re turning your life upside down and putting it on pause to do this for me.”

“I guess that’s true.” I hedge, glad I don’t have to feel guilty for thinking that myself earlier.

“Speaking of pauses… Were you dating someone before? I never asked.”

My eyes flash over to him for a second and back. Not a question I was expecting him to ask. I wasn’t dating anyone. I was sitting on my couch most nights. But I’m not about to admit that when he dates the women he dates and knowing he has a direct line to my ex-husband.

“I was seeing someone. It was still early but I liked him,” I lie.

“Oh yeah? How’d he take the news then?”

“What news?”

“That you’re dating me.” He grins and looks over at me for a moment.

“I didn’t share that bit of information. I just said that I met someone else, and I wanted to see where things went.”

“How long were you seeing him?”

“Is this an interrogation?”

“Just curious if you started dating before or after the divorce.”

“A bit before we officially signed the papers. I mean he was already fucking other people, so it didn’t make sense for me to wait to date. But the first few guys were complete failures. It almost,almost,was enough to make me reconsider getting divorced.”

“Well, I’m glad you did,” he says as he pulls into a parking spot.

“You tell Drew that too?”

“Nah. I told Drew he was a fucking idiot.”

“You’ve talked to him since?” I feel a swarm of apprehension in my gut start to form.

“Yeah. We had a drink. He didn’t really want to hear my thoughts on it, and he’s still not thrilled about our arrangement.”

“I didn’t expect he would be.”

“He’ll get over it. He’s just convinced he can win you back.”

“Convinced he can win me back? We barely even talk and I’m pretty sure he’s still mid-post-divorce-hoe-phase.” I laugh at the idea there’d even be a chance of us together again.

“What if he got his act together though? Apologized? Tried to work things out between you?”

The apprehension turns another round.

“You’re not taking his side, are you? Because if you try to lobby for him, I’m calling this whole thing off. I donotwant to hear it.”

“No. I’m not. He asked though. I told him to fuck off. I thought you made a good decision. I just don’t want to be in the middle of this if you two decide to reconcile.” Alex is looking at me closely, studying me like he’s trying to puzzle something out.

“No. Never going to happen.”

“All right. Just making sure I’m not tampering with true love.” He smirks at me. “You ready to do this?”