Mia Darien - Good Things

“Jim’s parents are paying for the venue,” Jesse replied. “The thing is... Alex, we want you to be a part of the ceremony.”

Alex arched a brow and looked at her ex sidelong. “You want me to be... I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Jesse.”

Jesse’s infectious laugh filled the room, and Alex felt her heart skip a beat when she put her hand on Alex’s knee. “You haven’t even heard what we want. Look, you know I have no other family. I have no one to give me away. I’d like you to walk me down the aisle.”

It had always struck Alex as odd when she could feel her heart break. Jesse had no idea what she was asking of her ex... How deep her feelings still ran. There was a time that she had hoped to marry Jesse. Jesse did want to walk down the aisle with her, just not as partners. What made it all so hard was picking up on the pure joy coming from Jesse. How could she say yes and live with the heartache it would bring? At the same time, how could she say no and live with the consequences of crushing someone she still cared so deeply about?

Alex managed a weak smile and gave a simple nod. “Fine... I’ll do it, but only if I get to wear a tux.”

“Deal,” Jesse said as she took a beer and held it up to toast her friend. “To new beginnings.”

“New beginnings,” Alex mumbled, smiling but not feeling it in her soul. “So when is the ceremony?”

“Next month. August 28th,” Jesse replied.

Alex almost fell for it, but she picked up on the humor coming from her ex. She smirked. “I know you aren’t holdin’ your weddin’ on the aniversary of Katrina. Spill, Jesse.”

“How do you always know?” Jesse laughed. “Fine... We’re actually holding it on the tenth of September, so about two months from now. We don’t want anything super fancy, though Jim’s mom is hiring an event planner for the reception. She seems keen on planning it, and neither Jim and I are too bothered.”

Alex offered a warm smile. “Seems like you win, then.”

The two trailed off into light banter as they enjoyed their beer. Alex knew Jesse wouldn’t stay for more than one, which gave her a deep sense of relief. She feigned disappointment, though, when her ex announced she had to be on her way. As the telepath closed the door behind her friend, she rested her forehead on it and opened herself to the joy Jesse felt, even though only a very small fraction of it was meant for her. She missed the jovial spirit Jesse had when they once shared the small house together, and Alex found herself wondering if she’d ever find someone to share such joy with again.

Two weeks after learning about Jesse and Jim’s pending nuptials, Alex learned she’d once again been assigned a partner to help her in the field. She had learned not to argue with her supervisor, as the older woman thought she knew best, even though Alex got more work done when she worked solo than when she had a partner. She seriously considered arguing, though, when she found out who her partner was.

“So, Alex...the boss said you’ve been working at the agency for a while. Why are you still a field grunt?” the man asked.

For her part, Alex concentrated on the drive, but spared him a brief glance as she considered how to answer his question. She was also trying her best not to skim his thoughts, but he made it virtually impossible, as his thoughts almost drowned out his speaking voice for her attention.

Everyone says she’s a freak. She ain’t social, hasn’t had a steady field partner in the five years she’s been at the agency...and after five years is still in the field. She has enough experience to be the supervisor. She’s a dike too… Look at the short hair, and the clothes.

The thoughts came one after another, and it was all Alex could do to ignore them and focus on what he actually said. Casting another sideways glance at him, she started, “It’s Todd, right?”

“Yup.” Can’t believe Jesse ended it with me and started seeing her. Can’t see what Jesse saw in her. Not like she could do her better than me.

“Well, Todd, I happen to prefer the field to a desk. If I were to take a supervisor role, the chances of me getting out to the field are virtually nonexistent,” she explained. It was the simple truth, though she didn’t think it prudent to mention why she preferred the field. It also took a great deal of her self-control to call him out on his errant thought about her clothes, and even more effort not to cold-cock him for his misogynistic and homophobic thoughts about her and Jesse. About the clothes alone, she was dressed for the field... How feminine did he think she could get? Pink steel-toed boots, a pink safety vest, and a pink hard hat? She almost rolled her eyes at the thought, but stopped herself. As far as his thoughts of her and Jesse’s sex life, it seemed a typical and narrow-minded way of thinking.

Giving her a look of disbelief, Todd replied, “You don’t want a promotion? It’s better pay, and an extra week of vacation. Are you nuts?” There’s gotta be something more to the story, or she’s bat-shit crazy. Field work is for grunts and noobs.

Alex arched a brow and flashed a wry smile. “One person’s definition of insanity is another person’s definition of sanity, Todd. And yet here we are, you have been assigned to me as my partner. Tell me, how does it feel to have to learn from the freak of the agency.”

“Wh...what?” he asked. His nervous laugh gave him away, along with the various unchecked thoughts running through his mind.

Laughing, the telepath shook her head. “Think I didn’t know? People around the office talk. I’m not stupid, despite what some might think. No one who comes to the agency wants a field rotation longer than they absolutely must...except for the Freak of the Agency. It’s not like I care what anyone thinks, either. I happen to like my job, and have no desire to babysit a bunch of field whelps who complain when they get bit by ants.”

We do not need babysitting. Hell, I don’t even need to be here with her. I could do this by myself. Probationary field tech, my ass.

When Todd didn’t seem to have anything to add to the conversation, Alex opted for a little fun. She hadn’t been told he was on probation, and she shouldn’t be privy to something of that nature. “So, tell me... What did you do to get put on probation and sent to me?”

With a look of shock and dread, Todd replied with a high-pitched squeal. “What? No one’s supposed to know about that. What the hell, man? That bitch of a boss...”

“Boss didn’t tell me shit, Todd. People aren’t made my assistant because they want to glean from my experience. With the reputation of the Agency Freak, no one chooses to be my assistant. I just simply guessed,” Alex lied.

Cocky dike think she’s got one up on me. Whatever. I can still do the job better than her. I don’t deserve this. I was supposed to be assisting the GIS tech and training under her. Damn but she’s a sight hotter than this bitch.

Alex did her best not to smirk. “I bet I can guess something else about you, Todd. Up for a game?”

“You just tryin’ to prove you earned your nickname? You don’t know me, woman. Don’t know anythin’ about me. Guess away. You’ll be wrong,” he countered. If he’d been walking, he would have strutted like a peacock.

“Maybe. Though I suspect part of the reason you are so annoyed was you signed up to train under Emily, the GIS tech. Instead of her, you’re stuck with the woman who not just slept with your ex, but had a relationship with her. You also get to enjoy the near ninety degree temperatures, near one hundred percent humidity, the mosquitoes, moccasins, and ‘gators,” Alex explained, not trying to hide her smirk as she watched his mouth drop open.