Halfway Perfect by Julie Cross

walked in his show a few months ago, not my proudest moment. Hopefully the fact that I’m helping you out will be enough to put a stop to any inquiries.”
    And yeah, I’m curious but I’d never seek out the evidence because it just feels like an unspoken agreement between the two of us ever since Alex said that he never believes that tabloid shit. “My lips are sealed.”
    â€œCool,” he says. “John will email you soon. He’s a little strange and mildly obsessed with me, so consider yourself warned.”
    â€œIsn’t everyone obsessed with you?”
    Steph’s mouth opens like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t.
    â€œIf only that were true,” Alex laughs. “Then I wouldn’t have to work, and I’d be off climbing Everest.”
    â€œWhy would you be climbing Everest?” The words are out of my mouth before I remember him saying something about the indoor climbing wall and how he wants to try something outside soon.
    â€œNo reason,” he says quickly. “I just mean, I’d be doing whatever I wanted.”
    â€œOkay, well, I’ll be sure not to tell John that I’m, in fact, your number one fan.”
    â€œA catfight would break out, and you’d be back to your financial crisis.”
    I laugh. “Thanks, Alex. I really appreciate this.”
    â€œNo problem,” he says. “I have one more question. What were you and Elana talking about today? That was way too much French for me to follow.”
    I glance at Stephanie and decide to hold off on that talk. “Um, I’ll text you later with that information, okay?”
    â€œSure. See you tomorrow, Eve.”
    I hang up and Steph returns to eating her dinner, but only for a minute before she starts drilling me.
    â€œSo, Alex…the guy you supposedly only gave your number to so he’d join your 5K team,” she teases. “Have you been running together and I missed it?”
    I shrug. “He’s nice. That’s all.”
    Except I’m not 100 percent sure that’s true.

Chapter 12: Alex
    October 10, 8:30 p.m.
    EVE : $300/wk to walk a dog! Is he insane?!
    I laugh at Eve’s text, glad John contacted her so quickly. I’m not sure what will be required of me as a return favor, and frankly I’m a little scared, but hearing the relief in her voice on the phone earlier made it worth it. I don’t know what the fuck is going on with her and Wes, but based on how shaken she looked the rest of the day, I can only assume it wasn’t a friendly chat to catch up. Could he still be that pissed at her after all this time? Even though things are going great for him, career-wise.
    Man, last time I asked John for a favor, more specifically for World Series tickets, I ended up in his apartment trying on some weird-ass punk version of a Scottish kilt, knee socks included, and a vest with no shirt underneath. I wouldn’t let him take any pictures though. But still, I’m pretty much scarred for life.
    ME : Yes, he’s insane. But its pennies to him.
    The car pulls up to Elana’s agency apartment, and I stow my phone away and jump out to open the door for her. She walks out alone, wearing half a dress. Or at least it looks like half is missing. It’s blue and black, of course, matching my black shirt and blue tie that Wes sent over for me to wear tonight.
    Elana looks pretty nervous, even stumbles a little in her heels.
    â€œHey,” I say. “Nice dress.”
    She smiles at me as I open the door for her. “Thank you. I really don’t like it, to be frank. I feel like if I bend to pick up something, it will break open.”
    I laugh and slide in beside her. “The photographers will love that.” Her eyes widen, and I can tell I’ve made her more nervous. “If you drop something, I’ll pick it up for you. How’s that sound?”
    â€œThank you.”
    My phone buzzes again,