Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 59: The Talk

Chapter 59: The Talk

"She’s not that bad," Jared replied, with an easy smile that hinted at his appreciation for her quirks. She rarely cooked, but why would she need to when he was there? He liked the thought of taking care of her in these little ways.

Alex’s amused gaze flicked over Jared, and he took a half step back, his expression exaggeratedly nonchalant. "Relax, man. I’m not interested in her," he said, a hint of a smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. Jared barely had a moment to feel any kind of relief before Alex leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially and letting his eyes flick down to Jared’s towel. "You’re more my type."

Jared’s hand instinctively tightened around the towel as his heart skipped a beat, a laugh caught somewhere in his chest. For a moment, he was speechless, torn between laughing at the absurdity and wondering if Alex was serious. But before he could respond, he heard Jerica’s voice call out from the room.

"Alex, bring some clothes for Jared, will you?" Her voice held a playful softness, and Jared could hear the smile she wore even without seeing it.

With a wave, Alex strode down the hall, leaving Jared to face Jerica, who peeked out with flushed cheeks and a bright smile. "I’ll get your clothes," he murmured and slipped out quickly, his heartbeat still just a bit too fast from Alex’s teasing.

Returning to the room a moment later, Jerica spotted her clothes laid out neatly on the bed—the same worn-in lounge clothes she’d once tossed aside but now felt oddly comforting. And the breakfast tray was already set on the balcony, framed by a view of the shimmering morning.

A chuckle escaped her as she recognized Jared’s little effort to make everything feel familiar. She changed and wandered into her room, the familiar space wrapping her in a quiet sense of peace. The soft light filtering through the curtains seemed to welcome her home, casting a warm glow across the room she once knew by heart.

Seeing the floral sheets on her bed, she smiled, remembering countless nights spent under those covers. She heard the sound of running water from the shower, a faint reminder of Jared nearby, and without a second thought, she settled onto the bed, sighing as the mattress seemed to cradle her.

The bed felt like a long-lost friend, and she melted into it, feeling the gentle lull of sleep pulling her under before she even realized her eyes had closed.

Moments later, Jared emerged from the bathroom, towel in hand as he dried his hair. He stopped mid-step at the sight of her—curled up, her face softened in sleep, and a peacefulness that stirred something tender within him. She looked vulnerable yet content, and he couldn’t help the faint smile that touched his lips.

Quietly, he moved closer, unfolding the blanket at the edge of the bed and gently covering her. He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, taking an extra moment to ensure she was comfortable. There was a warmth in the room, a softness he hadn’t felt in some time, and for a fleeting second, he found himself caught up in it, savoring the stillness.

Satisfied, he stood, his gaze lingering for a moment before he left the room, leaving her to her peaceful slumber.

After freshening up, Jared slipped into the patio, finding Alex at the grill, preparing the coals in quiet focus. The memory of their last interaction tugged at Jared, but after a moment, the awkwardness faded, replaced by a reluctant camaraderie. They marinated the meat together in comfortable silence, Alex’s gaze occasionally shifting over as though weighing his words.

"Is she asleep?" Alex finally asked, glancing up as they finished prepping the steaks. He popped open a beer and passed it to Jared, who took it with a nod, both men sinking into chairs as they waited for the smoker to heat up. Jared took a slow sip, watching the grill and feeling the weight of Alex’s stare.

After a few moments, Alex’s voice broke the silence, low and serious. "I’ll come straight to the point." He set the meat on the grill, and as it sizzled, the tension between them felt as palpable as the smoky air. "Forget your little quest."

Jared’s brow furrowed. "My quest?" He knew Alex had connections, but how deep did they run? Had Jerica asked him to investigate? A flicker of concern ran through him as he tried to piece together what Alex was getting at.

"Drop it before Jerica finds out," Alex warned, his voice dropping. "Look, you’ve got the potential to be DA or even jump into politics if that’s what you’re after. But steer clear of the Glovers. You’re not going to get anywhere going after the Braddocks like this."

Jared’s lips curved into a chuckle, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Here I thought you were smart..."

Alex’s jaw tightened, and his stare hardened, leaning closer as he spoke. "I’m not joking, Jared. If you so much as let Jerica get hurt because of this, I’ll put you down myself." His voice carried a dark, unyielding threat that left Jared quiet, even if only for a moment.

Jared measured his words carefully, his gaze steady. "Why do you think her life is in danger?" Though he shared Alex’s fears, he hadn’t expected him to voice them so plainly.

"Are you really that dense?" Alex spat, exasperation in his eyes. "You think the family that practically runs the globe would let some ADA mess with their reputation? And it’s not just about you. They’d use Jerica, and if you’re lucky, it’d only be to get to you. You’re walking into a den of snakes."

The weight of Alex’s words hung between them, thick and heavy, but Jared’s face remained stoic, even if his mind raced. Alex’s expression grew angrier as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a fierce whisper. "You know all this. And still, you’re dragging her into it, keeping her in the dark, making her a sitting duck. If you were as smart as you think, you’d have clued her in, made her part of the plan. But you’re selfish. You don’t deserve her. Give her the divorce she wants."

For a moment, Jared could only stare, caught off guard. "What do you... Divorce?" The word struck him with force.