Divorce Me Before Death Takes Me, CEO

Chapter 32

James cleared his throat. Well then, we should celebrate once the divorce is final. Let ma..

I turned to study his profile, my expression sharpening. What exactly did Astrid tell your when she asked for this favor?

He hesitated, caught off guard by my directness. “Just that she was swamped at work, needed someone to help…”

‘It’s the middle of a workday, James. Don’t you have your own responsibilities?‘

Taking a deep breath, I pushed forward. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but we were just senior and junior at Parsons. That doesn’t warrant dropping everything to rescue me. My marriage, my divorce those ate my battles to fight.

‘I don’t need commentary from the sidelines.”

4

Silence filled the car. James sat frozen, looking like I’d slapped him.

“When the divorce is final,‘ I added, softer now, “I’m taking at least six months. No dating, no relationships, no complications.”

keep our

him when his feelings seemed genuine But his earlier comments had

drained from his face, but after a long moment, he just nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry,

shifted in James’s expression – not quite hurt,

into his briefcase and retrieved a sleek leather portfolio. “Actually, meeting you today isn’t just a favor for Astrid –

raised an

my boss’s desk this morning. The firm’s interested, but

distribute through her industry connections. After my marriage to Blake, I’d lost touch with the jewelry world, too focused on being the decent Parker wife. Astrid, with

almost laughed at the irony. All this time, I’d been assuming James had

expression. “The review board was impressed, and that’s why I’m

as I remembered

apologize,” he cut in smoothly. “Did I have my own hopes in offering to pick you up? Sure. But you’ve made your position clear, and I respect that.” His tone turned purely professional. “Let’s not let personal history get in the way of what

candor made me feel small. I bit my

after a moment. “Pure creative work,

meant connections, expertise – everything I needed to get my work

here’s to a successful partnership. And here’s your compensation package Take a look,