Page 51 of Say My Name

“You threatened balloons. That’s different.”

“There will still be balloons.”

“Maya.”

I continue toward my office before either of them notices me listening.

An hour later, Elena sends me a message asking if I have time to review the final Northbridge questions. I tell her to come in.

She arrives with her laptop and a legal pad, her composure rebuilt into something seamless. The unease from this morning is gone. For twenty minutes, we work. She anticipates a question about the attrition model before I ask, pulling up a supporting schedule without breaking the conversation’s rhythm. She is sharp, focused, and untouchable. Then she closes her computer.

“Was there anything else?” I ask.

“Yes.”

She doesn’t continue.

I wait. She takes a breath.

“Maya and Olivia organized belated birthday drinks for me on Saturday.”

“I heard.”

Her eyebrows rise. “Were you listening outside my office?”

“I was walking past.”

“And then slowed down?”

“I had nowhere urgent to be.”

“You’re the CEO. There’s always another meeting, another fire to put out.”

“Not that morning.”

She shakes her head, but she’s fighting a smile. “It’s in the West Loop. Maya will be there, along with Olivia, Marcus, and most of the people I knew in college. There may also be balloons, despite my explicit objection.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“It could be.”

She turns the pen between her fingers, watching the motion instead of me. I know what she’s trying to ask. I wait, because I need to hear her say it. I need this to be her choice, stated plainly.

Finally, she sets the pen down. “Would you like to come?”

I want to accept before she finishes asking.

“To your birthday drinks?”

“Yes.”

“With your friends.”

“That’s generally how birthday drinks work.”

“Why?”

Her eyes narrow. “Most people say yes or no before requesting a written justification.”