Chapter 24: Mariana

"Don't worry. You're not the only one who is going to be a few minutes late. These elevators always take this long."

I look around before realizing he's talking to me. The tall, very handsome man in a suit is talking to me.

"I'm sorry?" I ask like I'm completely disheveled, which I guess I am so it's not a huge stretch to come off that way.

"The elevators." He gestures toward the lifts. "You look nervous and keep looking at your watch. I just thought it would make you feel better to know everyone runs late. They're used to it upstairs."

"Oh. Actually, that does make me feel better. Thank you." I smile at him and look back up at the indicating numbers, willing them to come down faster.

"What court are you headed to?" the tall, handsome suit asks me.

"Um, the five-oh-seventh."

"Ah." His face changes subtly. "Divorce court. You'll be fine. They schedule a bunch of cases at once. They'll never even know you're late." I can't tell if he's feeling bad for me or was initially flirting and no