“Two weeks. Maybe three.”
“You haven’t taken time off in—”
“Four years. I know.”
“May I ask why now?”
Deep breath. “I need to drive to California to help my girlfriend move.” It’s the wrong word, “girlfriend,” but it’s all I’ve got for now.
The silence stretches. His face goes through several unreadable expressions.
“Your girlfriend,” he repeats slowly, as if I just said, “my unicorn.”
“Yes.”
“You have a girlfriend.”
“I do.”
“Since when?”
Since I flew to Italy and blew up my carefully constructed life. Since a wedding planner with a chaotic goat showed me what I was missing.
“Recently,” I settle on.
“And she’s moving here. For you.”
“With me. Yes.”
He removes his glasses and cleans them. It’s his thinking gesture. “Dean, can I be frank?”
“Always.”
“When we discussed partnership two years ago, you weren’t ready. Brilliant lawyer, yes. But you were…” He searches for words. “Rigid. Isolated. One of those partners who burns out at fifty and dies at his desk.”
“Flattering.”
“I’m not done.” He puts his glasses back on. “Something’s different now. You seem… what’s the word?”
“Unhinged?”
“Human.” His mouth twitches, almost a smile. “The firm’s evolving, Dean. We need partners who understand work-life balance—who bring more than just billable hours.”
“And you think I—”
“I think a man who takes three weeks off to help his girlfriend move across the country might be just the kind of partner we need.”
I stare at him. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious. Take your time. Drive to California. Help your…” He pauses. “What does she do?”
“Wedding planner.”
“Of course she is.” Now he’s definitely smiling. “Bring her back, then give us your answer.”
“That’s… not what I expected.”
“Leadership isn’t about grinding yourself into dust, Dean. It’s about knowing what matters.” He stands. Meeting over. “Three weeks. Full pay. Don’t check email.”
