Page 46 of Silent Shadows

Maya lowers her voice. “Hey.”

I glance toward her.

“Be nice to her.”

I lean back, incredulous. “I am nice to her.”

She leans against the counter. “Miles.”

I know that tone. It always puts me on the defensive.

I rub my face. “What, Maya?”

“We need this to work.”

There it is. The real thing underneath it all is that we need more funding to make this work, and this podcast could be the key.

I look toward Daisy again before I can stop myself. She’s still typing, completely locked into whatever she’s writing.

“We’re fine,” I drag out, trying to reassure Maya.

“I know you’re getting along, but you know it’s more than that,” she replies. “I’m just saying… protecting us from scrutiny shouldn’t cost us this work. Let her do what she needs to do and don’t get in your own way about this.”

“I’m not,” I shake my head.

“And don’t be too nice either.”

That catches me off guard. “What?”

Maya gives me a look. “Come on.”

I actually laugh at that. “Maya.”

“You’re not subtle.”

“I’m the most subtle.”

“You literally made her a laminated welcome packet.”

“That was operational structure.”

“That was flirting for neurodivergent park rangers.”

I stare at her in horror. “That’s not⁠—”

“She’s pretty,” Maya says.

“I am not interested in her like that.” The lie comes out way too fast.

Maya’s expression goes flat. “Oh, wow.”

“I mean it,” I say in defense.

“Miles,” she folds her arms.

“I do.” I look back at my screen, hoping that ignoring her now will make her walk away.

She doesn’t. The problem with Maya is that she’s known me too long. She can tell when I’m spiraling before I even realize I’ve left stable orbit.