Heat crept up my neck. “I’m just…tired.”
Miranda arched a perfectly sculpted brow. “You’ve come to work after staying up all night with a puking toddler and stillmanaged to function like a normal human being. Try again, and tell me the truth this time, please.”
I swallowed and looked anywhere except at her. One thing about Miranda: she had the kind of gaze that could pry open vaults.
“Mazzy.” Softer this time. Less of a command, more of an invitation. “Tell me what’s going on.”
My throat tightened. I hadn’t said this out loud to anyone but Shira, but I guessed I needed to get used to it since it was about to become reality.
I exhaled shakily. “Ben got an offer to play for a team in New Zealand. He’s going.”
Miranda didn’t react immediately, which was somehow worse. Her dark eyes assessed me, and I could almost hear her mind whirring as she processed what I’d just told her.
Finally, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll help you write your request for a leave of absence, but I won’t be happy about it.”
My mouth opened then closed. That wasn’t…what I’d expected her to say.
“I’m not taking a leave of absence.”
Her head tilted. “I’d really rather you didn’t quit outright. The only way I’ll be able to stand a temp working with me is if I know you’ll be returning.” She leaned in. “Youwillbe returning, won’t you? I assume your beau has a season or two left in him, at most. Rugby is a game for the young.”
“You know rugby?”
“Pffft. I’mawareof rugby. Do you think I have time to watch sports?”
“No. I know you don’t. That’s why I was surprised.” I gestured around wildly. “I’m surprised by all of this. I’m not quitting or taking a leave of absence, Miranda.”
Her brow dropped. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, Ben’s moving to New Zealand. I’m not.”
“Why not?”
“Because…it’s New Zealand. I have an entire life here. I’m in school. And I can’t just quit my job—”
“You can’t. You’re right. You’ll take a leave of absence.”
I shook my head, hoping that would clear it. “No, I won’t. I can’t just leave to follow Ben. He—”
I clamped down on my lip, unsure I wanted to tell her what he’d said. But Miranda was a dog with a bone. She stared at me,boredher laser gaze into me until I cracked, and everything spilled out.
“When I told him we wouldn’t be going with him, he got pissed and said he'd take Katty with him andIcould visit them. I couldn’t believe he said that. I still can’t, if I’m being honest. It was so out of character, and it makes me wonder what else he could do if he’s cornered again.”
“Hmmm.” She tapped her chin, considering. “I don’t like that. Not at all. However, you said yourself it was out of character for him. Is he still thinking he’ll take Kateryna with him?”
“No, but I pointed out he can’t because of our custody agreement.”
“Well, of course. It’s airtight. Obviously, it would be impossible. I mean, has he mentioned it again or backed down?”
Ben’s distraught face flashed in my memory. His immediate regret and plea for understanding.
“He took it back and apologized almost instantly,” I admitted.
Miranda lifted her chin. “Good. Because threatening to take a child across international lines is the fastest way to lose joint custody, and from what you’ve told me, Ben is far too in love with that little girl to risk it.”
I rubbed my suddenly aching forehead. “It was just…he panicked. I know he did. But it terrified me. The idea of him going that far...”
Miranda studied me for a long moment, then pushed off my desk and circled to the empty chair beside me.
