“Fair.”
She read the email over my shoulder.
“Extended availability.”
“Do you want it?”
“The title and responsibility, not the hours.”
“Then say that in the interview.”
“That could remove me from consideration.”
“Then they don’t want the version of you who has a life.”
The directness surprised me.
“You are encouraging boundaries.”
“I’m dating you. I need access to your calendar.”
“That is not the appropriate motivation.”
“It can be two things.”
I reread the email. The old version of me would have accepted every condition before being offered the role. Then resented the role for taking what I volunteered.
“What if the marathon training suffers?” I asked.
“We adjust.”
“What if the relationship does?”
“We talk.”
“What if—”
Dani touched the watch. Not to check it. To still my hand.
“You don’t have to solve the job before the interview.”
I exhaled.
“You are becoming alarmingly useful.”
“Earned dinner.”
I smiled. The interview was scheduled for Thursday. Dani’s next long run was Tuesday. I entered both dates into my calendar and mistook two scheduled events for control.
Chapter Twenty
The Route She Avoids
Dani
Ten days after Amy’s half marathon, Miguel built her long run to fourteen miles. My disclosed week remained beneath Rose’s ceiling, with twelve as the longest continuous run. Her plan required one answer after every session:
What was this run for?
