Free For the Love of Alex by J.E. Hopkins Page A

to stifle her triumphant smile, but she couldn’t help but feel pleased. There were so few moments like this where she could feel proud of herself without feeling guilt about something else in her life.
    “I can’t wait to begin the next one.”
    “I can’t wait to read it, Leah,” Marcus admitted. “You have a real talent. I’m glad I was smart enough to recognize it. I would have hated to lose your gift to the competition. We need you here.”
    Leah could feel her cheeks warming and she knew she must be blushing again, but she was not used to all this praise. She generally got lectures about everything she was doing wrong. So rare for her to be told that she was doing something right.
    Marcus smiled and walked away. She was feeling better and more energized today than she had in weeks. She clicked on the internet and began working on her next story. So engrossed in her research, she didn’t notice the passage of time until Marcus stopped by her desk with his coat and briefcase.
    “Leah, it’s eight. Why am I still looking at you typing away on that computer?”
    Leah worried she might be in trouble. “I just got caught up in my next story and I didn’t realize how late it was.”
    “You also didn’t realize when it was lunchtime. I bet you didn’t leave this desk all day except for a trip or two to the restroom.”
    He might have been surprised to know that she didn’t even get up to do that, which is why her bladder felt like it might burst.
    “I’ve told you before, Leah. I appreciate your dedication to your work, but you have to take care of yourself first, otherwise you won’t be around long enough to enjoy it. You think because you are young your boundless energy will protect you, but even people your age burn out, and sometimes they even die.” Marcus paused and Leah could see a hint of regret on his face, but he blinked it away and the moment passed. “Look Leah, join me for dinner tonight. We can talk about this article you’ve spent the entire day engrossed in. I have to admit I am curious about the next piece.”
    Dinner with Marcus felt wrong somehow. It was just an innocent meal between colleagues, she tried to convince herself, but there was something about this that made her feel guilty. She should say no.
    Alex was fighting for them and she should be home waiting for him. Should she be? Was it wrong to enjoy a nice meal and have a good time talking about her work? Marcus was her boss, she rationalized, not her boyfriend. This was not a date. Marcus might be single, but he wouldn’t ask one of his junior writers out on a date. That would violate all professional rules. This was clearly just an innocent working dinner, and she shouldn’t be making such a big deal out of it. That was what she tended to do. Everything in her life was a bad drama. She overthought every decision to the point of paralysis. She didn’t end up doing anything for fear of doing the wrong thing.
    How did I end up in this rut? she wondered. She wasn’t always like this, and she didn’t want to be like this any longer. She would find herself. Figure out who Leah Rhodes was and define her own identity outside of being Alex’s fiancé.
    “Leah, is everything okay?”
    Marcus was looking at her as if she were about to fall apart. That was how she felt on the inside. She hated being this emotional mess. It had to stop now.
    “Everything is fine, Marcus. Dinner would be great. I would love to discuss some of my ideas with you. Maybe you can help me figure out the right direction.”
    “Great. Grab your stuff and let’s go. There’s a delicious little Thai place a few blocks away. I hope you like Thai.”
    She had never had it, which made her want to try it even more. “Thai would be perfect,” she said.
    She followed Marcus out the building and they walked in silence to the restaurant, which took less than five minutes. The restaurant was crowded, but they were seated immediately. Marcus seemed to be a regular