It wasn’t a question, and it made her heart hurt. She ducked her head and tried to avoid making eye contact with him, but Alejandro’s hands landed on her waist, and he moved her to one of the larger chairs she used when her students didn’t need advice on classes or internships and just wanted to vent or shoot the shit. He pulled her onto his lap, and she let him.

She’d missed him.

“Tell me what’s going on,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.

She sank into him immediately. Why had she denied herself this?

“I’m sorry I didn’t pick up when you called,” she whispered.

“I don’t care,” he breathed, and she finally turned to look him directly in the eyes.

He smiled. “Okay, I cared. I really fucking cared, but only because I missed you and want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I really fucking can’t stand Caroline.”

“Join the club,” Alejandro said.

“Or Layla,” she whispered, averting her eyes, embarrassed at herself for even feeling jealous.

“Neither do I,” Alejandro said. He moved his hand to her chin and gently tipped her head back so they could make eye contact again. “She asked me out after you left.”

Deja’s body tensed. “And what’d you say?”

“I told her I’m seeing someone,” he said matter-of-factly. “What’d you think I’d say?”

“We’re not supposed to be telling people until we talk to HR.”

“I’m ready when you are,” he whispered to her, his eyes dipping to her mouth. She felt his thumb pressing at the curve of her bottom lip.

“Even though I’ve been avoiding your calls for two days?”

He smiled. “I won’t tell HR that if you don’t.”

She smiled briefly and then frowned. “I should have stuck up for Marie,” she admitted quietly.

“What do you mean?”

“Some people treat her like shit because she’s an adjunct, and I should have stuck up for her.”

“We should have,” Alejandro said. “You were the most junior member in the room. It wasn’t your job to do that, not alone, at least.”

“I know,” she said, “but we’re friends.”

“So are we. Toni’s her friend, too. And Mike is just a good guy. Why do you think this is all on you?”

Deja pressed her lips together. That was a great question.

“Is this a thing you do?”

She squinted at him.

“Toni said you’re a creature of habit, so I just want to know if taking on the weight of the world is a thing you’re prone to do so I can be prepared for the future.”

“You talked to Toni about me?”

“Of course. And she lectured me for being a lackluster ally to women of color on campus. I got way more than I bargained for,” he said with a smile.