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.”

need to keep our distance. For

not wanting to hurt him when his feelings seemed genuine But his earlier comments had crossed

face, but after a long moment, he just nodded. “I understand.

in James’s expression – not quite hurt,

“Actually,

raised an eyebrow,

tapped the portfolio. “They landed on my boss’s desk this morning. The firm’s interested, but they need some market–oriented adjustments.” His smile widened slightly. “Imagine my surprise when

as I flipped it open. These were definitely my sketches the ones I’d asked Astrid to help distribute through her industry connections. After my marriage to Blake, I’d lost touch with the jewelry world, too focused on being

this time, I’d been assuming James had some ulterior motive in

review board

cheeks as I remembered my earlier assumptions.

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

I bit my lip, studying the

a moment. “Pure creative work, no production.

nodded. A design studio meant connections, expertise – everything I needed to get my work to market quickly. With my

successful partnership. And here’s your