“That doesn’t mean anything has to happen.”
“No. But pretending nothing happened is how you create worse problems.”
“We have an amendment meeting Monday.”
Rose blinked.
“An amendment meeting.”
“Amy is clarifying the kissing rule.”
“Of course she is.”
“We’ll establish boundaries.”
“You already established boundaries.”
“We’ll establish better ones.”
“And when those fail?”
“They won’t.”
Rose removed her glasses and cleaned a lens that was already clean.
“The formal transfer is complete,” Rose said. “The remaining problem is that you still reach for coaching authority when you are scared.”
“Miguel approved me as a pacing partner for Monday.”
“Then pace. Do not assess, prescribe, or correct unless there is an immediate safety issue. You are not her backup coach.”
I crossed my arms.
“Blake knows?” Rose asked.
“Blake signed the former-client conflict form and knows Miguel has final authority. They think the paperwork protects the competition.”
“Not that the relationship is fake.”
“No.”
“Or that the public kiss affected both of you.”
“No.”
Rose picked up her glasses.
“You are going to hurt her.”
The warning found an unprotected place.
“You don’t know that.”
“I know you.”
“I’m not planning to.”
“You never plan to.”
