“Would you like a tour while we wait, Trey?” Mrs. Guillory continued to eye them with keen discernment. She likely didn’t know the history he shared with Alexis, but she’d realized something was up.
“I’d love that,” he answered.
“Wonderful.” Mrs. Guillory turned to Alexis. “Would you show Trey around, please?”
Eyes widened in sheer horror, Alexis coughed. “Rachel should be returning to the cafeteria soon. I know each of you wanted to tell her goodbye in person.”
“You know what,” Trey said, trying to save the situation. “The tour can wait. I didn’t have the privilege of working with Rachel, but I’d love to meet her since I’ve heard such wonderful reports on her.”
“She is everything you have heard and more,” Mrs. Guillory said with a wide smile. “And Alexis will be just as fantastic as a director. She’s already earned the respect and affections of everybody here.”
Alexis’s cheeks darkened with a humble blush, but she returned the older lady’s smile. “The people at Hope House are amazing. In my short time here, I’ve learned valuable insights, especially from the residents. Their resilience in the face of adversity inspires me.”
He caught a glimpse of the Alexis he remembered. A paradox of fierceness and vulnerability. One who would fight with everything in her for those in need but filled with insecurities. He knew what made her that way, understood her reasons.
She’d once allowed him into her private world, shared her innermost thoughts with him.
Shame still filled him when he thought of what he’d done, but the lots had been cast.
“Nevertheless, Trey should be familiar with the campus.” Mrs. Guillory’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Alexis, would you mind terribly giving him the grand tour once the party is over?”
“Of course not, but I wouldn’t want to keep your group waiting.” Alexis addressed him next. “I’d be happy to schedule a time for you to come in next week.”
They both knew that wouldn’t happen, not if left up to them. “That’s fine with me.”
Mrs. Guillory waved away the concern. “We all drove separately. There’s no time like the present to begin learning.”
Alexis barely flinched.Barelybeing the operative word. “I’ll be in my office planning out next week. When you’re finished in here, come find me and I’ll show you around.”
“Will do,” he answered, praying he kept the tension from his voice.
Thank goodness, Rachel returned with a group of ladies. He recognized her from the photo on Hope House’s website. Alexis excused herself, undoubtedly, to escape him until necessary.
He blinked once, ridding himself of the tension that always came when he thought of Alexis, and he crossed the room to introduce himself to Rachel and the other staff he hadn’t yet met. When an acceptable amount of time had passed, he left the cafeteria and strolled down the hall leading to the foyer.
Mr. Wilson had pointed out the director’s office when they’d walked in earlier that evening, and Trey went to the door and knocked.
“Come in,” she called out wearily, as though she already knew it was him.
But she was expecting him. Did she think he’d flake out? Maybe that wouldn’t be a bad idea.
He twisted the knob and gave the door a slight push until it opened. Not since he’d accidentally spit on Mrs. Watson during an Easter service—one of the few Sundays his family attended growing up—had he felt such intense scrutiny.
Her eyes, the same shade as the leather journal she would always write in, bore into him, drilling holes into his soul. Or perhaps she was trying to bore them into his heart, so he’d die and go away.Okay, that was a bit dramatic, Kaplan.
When she didn’t speak, he took the initiative. “We don’t have to do the tour. Mrs. Guillory will be leaving soon, if not already. She won’t know, and I can do a self-guided tour if that’s easier.”
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. She huffed and clenched her jaw, so tight he expected steam to come from her ears. “I would know, Mr. Kaplan.”
“Last name basis, Alexis? Are we resorting to that?” The unexpected stab of pain at her slight made him lash out in a harsh tone. He hadn’t meant to, but Alexis had that effect on him.
Ignoring his comment, she continued. “I told Mrs. Guillory I would do it, and while you might not understand what it means to keep your word, I do.”
If she only knew the truth.
“I get that you hate me, and I understand. You have valid reason. Regardless, we’ve been thrown together in a sense, and we have to find a way to make this work. Professionally speaking, that is,” he clarified.
Her cheek twitched. She remained silent but stood to her feet and circled to the front of her desk. She swung her arm in a wide gesture, showing which way they’d go. Her loose-fitting cream blouse swayed with her abrupt movements.
How long would the silent treatment continue? They’d made it halfway down the hall that led to the cafeteria. The part he’d already seen. Had been told all about the ultramodern new kitchen that had been remodeled last year, thanks to an anonymous donor.
Of course, Alexis didn’t know he knew that. Mr. Randolph had told him about it while they’d waited in the cafeteria. Which meant Alexis should be talking. It was difficult to give a tour when one wasn’t speaking to the person they were guiding. He’d forgotten just how stubborn she could be. What happened to her decree that she kept her word?
If she wasn’t going to talk, this was pointless and a waste of time. If he had any sense, he’d turn around and leave. But that would give her what she wanted. He’d be the bad guy, the reason she couldn’t follow through.
Forget it. Let him be the bad guy. He always would be in her eyes, and that’s how it had to be. Truth or not. Or something in between.
