Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO NEVER ASKED ME TO SHRINK
Alexander Reed and I began working together on the upstate hotel restoration.
At first, it was strictly business.
Budgets.
Staffing plans.
Renovation schedules.
Marketing strategies.
Then we began having lunch.
Sometimes dinner.
Occasionally coffee.
He never asked me to discuss Ryan.
Never tried to turn my divorce into an opportunity.
And never treated my independence as a challenge.
One evening, we stood on the terrace of the restored hotel.
The Hudson Valley stretched beneath us.
The air smelled like rain and pine trees.
Alexander handed me a cup of tea.
“Long day?”
I smiled.
“Very.”
He leaned against the railing.
“Want to talk about it?”
I shook my head.
“Not yet.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
We stood quietly.
Then I looked at him.
“Alexander.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you like working with me?”
He smiled.
“Because you're brilliant.”
I laughed.
“Flattery.”
“Accuracy.”
I raised an eyebrow.
He continued.
“You see problems before other people know they exist.”
I smiled.
“And?”
“You care about the people who have to live with the decisions we make.”
My expression softened.
He looked at me.
“And you don't need anyone to tell you what you're worth.”
I stared.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered:
“I used to.”
Alexander's expression changed.
May you like
He nodded.
“Then I'm glad you don't anymore.”
