PART 11:

Emma swung her legs and attacked her gelato with enthusiasm. “So what do you do?” Emma asked Selena between bites. “Dad said you manage things, but that’s boring.” “Emma,” Adrian warned. “It’s okay,” Selena said. She seemed amused. I run a technology company. We make software that helps other companies organize their data.

Emma wrinkled her nose. That does sound boring. “It is sometimes, but other times it’s like solving a really big puzzle, figuring out how to make things work better.” “Dad fixes things, too, but like actual things. Toilets and lights and stuff.” That’s much more useful than what I do. He says everyone’s work is important.

Selena looked at Adrian. He sounds like a smart guy. He is. Except about girls. Adrian nearly choked. Emma. Mrs. Castellano says he doesn’t date enough and that’s why he always looks so serious. Mrs. Castellanos has a lot of opinions. Adrian said through gritted teeth. Emma turned to Selena with complete sincerity.

Do you think my dad looks serious? Selena’s mouth twitched. Sometimes. But I think that’s because he cares a lot about doing things right. That’s what I said. Emma looked triumphant. See Dad? Selena gets it. After ice cream, Adrian drove Emma home while Selena followed in her car. They’d agreed earlier that Selena would say goodbye in the parking lot.

No need to push things by having her come up to the apartment on the first meeting. But when they pulled into the lot, Emma was asleep in the backseat, head tilted against the window, gelato sticky hands folded in her lap. Selena parked next to them and got out, walking over to Adrian’s window. She’s out. Adrian said quietly.

Selena peered into the backseat and smiled. She’s perfect. Don’t tell her that. She’ll get a big head. I think you’ve got that covered. Selena straightened. Thank you for tonight. I know it was a risk. Yeah, it was. Adrian glanced at Emma’s sleeping form. But she liked you. I could tell. How? She held your hand.

She doesn’t do that with people she doesn’t trust. Something shifted in Selena’s expression, softened, opened. That means a lot. It should. She’s a good judge of character. They stood there in the parking lot, the space between them charged with all the things they weren’t saying. Adrian wanted to kiss her, wanted it so badly his chest ached with it.

But Emma was 10 ft away and this was already complicated enough without adding that to the mix. I should get her inside, he said. Yeah, of course. Selena stepped back. Text me when you’re free next week? I will. She walked back to her car, then turned at the last second. Adrian? Yeah? I really like your daughter and I really like you. Just so we’re clear.

Before he could respond, she got in her car and drove away. Adrian sat in the truck for a long moment, heart pounding, before carefully extracting Emma from the backseat and carrying her upstairs. The weekend passed in a blur of normalcy, laundry and grocery shopping and helping Emma with a school project about ocean conservation.

But underneath it all, Adrian felt the steady hum of something changing. Selena texted him Sunday night asking how Emma was doing. He sent back a photo of Emma asleep on the couch surrounded by poster board and markers. Selena replied with a heart emoji and Adrian stared at it for an embarrassingly long time.

Monday at work, things shifted. Adrian was in the basement checking the main water line when his supervisor Rick found him. Need to talk to you, Rick said, and his voice had that tight quality that meant nothing good was coming. Adrian set down his wrench. What’s up? HR wants to see you. Fourth floor, office 412. Now.

What for? Didn’t say, but Vale? Rick looked uncomfortable. Whatever it is, be careful. HR doesn’t call people up for friendly chats. Adrian’s stomach dropped. He cleaned his hands on a rag and took the elevator up, mind racing through possibilities. Had he screwed something up? Missed a work order? Said something wrong to someone? Office 412 was at the end of a beige hallway that smelled like new carpet and anxiety.

Adrian knocked once. Come in. Katherine Moreno was sitting behind a desk that looked too big for the room. She was mid-40s, sharp-eyed, with the kind of smile that didn’t reach past her teeth. Mr. Vale, sit down, please. Adrian sat. Katherine folded her hands on the desk. I’ll get straight to it. It’s come to our attention that you’ve been seen outside of work with Ms. Cross.

The floor tilted. I’m sorry? Last Friday, the aquarium downtown, you, Ms. Cross, and a young girl I assume was your daughter. Katherine’s smile didn’t waver. Now, I want to be clear. What employees do on their own time is their business. However, given the significant power differential between your position and Ms.

Cross’s, we need to make sure there’s no gu- inappropriate conduct occurring. Adrian’s hands clenched on the armrests. There’s nothing inappropriate happening. I’m sure you believe that. But from a liability standpoint, we need to document these things. Ms. Cross is a senior executive. You’re a maintenance worker. If this relationship were to sour, there could be allegations of coercion, favoritism, hostile work environment.

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