Alicia wiped the lingering tears from under her eyes and walked resolutely down the corridor back towards the press conference. The slap still stung her face. She'd have to make things right with Diane, both for herself and for Lucca. But that would come later. Tomorrow maybe. When Diane was ready.
Alicia's cell phone buzzed in her pocket and she instinctively pulled it out. Jason Crouse.
"Jason?" she tried to keep her voice steady.
"Alicia, where are you? I'm coming to get you."
As she left, she told Eli that she would not be riding back with them. He tried to protest but couldn't give her his full attention amid all the reporters and she was able to slip away. As she walked out of the hotel, Jason pulled his truck up to the sidewalk and she climbed into the cab. A gap in cars allowed him to pull back out smoothly into traffic. She kicked off her heels and leaned back heavily into the seat, drawing in deep breaths. Now that she was out of there, it was even harder to control her emotions.
Jason glanced over at her and was surprised to see that she was beginning to fall apart. He took her left hand in his right and held it as he navigated back to her apartment. They didn't speak.
As they walked into her apartment, she paused, half expecting to see Will there. But of course the apartment was empty.
"Do you want something to drink? Are you hungry?" she asked Jason, moving into the kitchen and opening cabinets.
He leaned against the doorway and watched her for a moment, then moved towards her. He took the glass she was holding out of her hand and set it on the counter. Then without a word he cupped her face in his hands, tilted her chin upwards and kissed her.
A shudder ran through Alicia's body and suddenly she was shaking. Jason pulled her close to him, her head against his chest, and guided her into the bedroom.
By the time they were in her bedroom, Alicia was sobbing. Jason sat at the edge of the bed and gathered her into his arms and held her as she cried. Alicia felt as though now that she had given herself over to these tears that they would never stop. Grief, regret, and relief all flooded through her at once. She didn't know which emotion was more powerful. Jason stroked her hair and rocked her until her sobs subsided and her tears slowed.
"You wanted to talk?" he asked and she gave a small laugh and leaned away from him to look him in the eye. He was still holding her, and staring back at her seriously. With his right hand, he wiped the tears off her cheek.
"It's over. Peter resigned. We're getting a divorce. Grace is going to college. And I know what I want," she responded, not breaking eye contact.
"And what do you want?" Jason teased, a smile flickering across his face.
"I want to be happy. With you."