Page 168 of Say My Name

No questions. No demand that I come back to his office. He gives me exactly what I request, even when what I request keeps hurting both of us.

I close the email.

I transfer my current assignments before the end of the day. Legal removes me from Project Northstar pending its review, and I leave instructions for every unrelated deadline that will fall during my absence. I’m taking personal leave, not pretending I can work remotely while I hide from everyone who might ask an uncomfortable question.

Maya watches from my doorway as I shut down my laptop.

“You’re leaving now?”

“Yes.”

“For the day?”

“For two weeks.”

Her face changes. “Where are you going?”

“Colorado. I’m booking everything tonight.”

She leans against the doorframe. “You requested leave before you had somewhere to go?”

“I knew I needed to leave before I knew where.”

“That sounds very unlike you.”

“It feels unlike me.”

She comes farther into the office. “Are you sick?”

The question lands close enough that I grip the charger in my hand, its hard plastic edges digging into my palm. “I’m not ready to tell you everything. I’m sorry.”

Maya looks at me for a long moment, then nods. “What do you need?”

I have to look down at the charger before I answer.

“Please reschedule anything that isn’t already covered. I’ll send you my flight information, the address where I’m staying, and an emergency number once I have them.”

“Does Dominic get the address?”

“No.” The word is a slammed door. “If that changes, I’ll tell you.”

“All right.”

She steps forward and hugs me. My body goes stiff from surprise, then I hold her back.

She pulls back but keeps her hands on my arms. “Call me.”

“I will.”

“Even if you aren’t ready to explain.”

My throat aches. “Okay.”

I leave Rowe Holdings without looking toward Dominic’s office again.

At home, I open my laptop on the kitchen counter and search for cabins outside Telluride. I find a cabin far enough from town for privacy, with an immediate two-week opening. I book it, reserve a Friday morning flight to Colorado, and arrange a car from the airport.

The obstetrics search comes next.