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"Do you need to be in New York tomorrow?"

I look at the proposal again. "Yes."

"Then start there."

I let out a breath. "When did you get so reasonable?"

"Age. It's very irritating."

I smile. She squeezes my arm and leaves me with the laptop. I read every page. Twice.

At nine forty-three, I call Julian. "I'll take the first flight I can get."

His exhale comes through the phone. "Thank you."

"This isn't a yes on the lease."

"I know."

"I mean it."

"I know."

"I need to see the space. I want to go through the numbers with you. And I'm not signing anything until we understand exactly what the build-out does to cash flow."

"There's my partner."

I ignore the warmth that brings. "I'll text you my flight."

"Safe travels."

"Goodnight, Julian."

"Maddy?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're coming back."

The words sit there. Not because they're wrong. Because I don't know what back means anymore.

"Goodnight."

I end the call. Then I look at Javier's name. And don't press it. Not tonight. Not because I'm hiding anything. Because I don't know what I'm telling him yet. I'm going to New York. That's all I know. Tomorrow, I'll tell him. In person.

I barely sleep. By six thirty Monday morning, my suitcase is open on the bed. Not the big one. That matters more than it should. Three days. Maybe four. Enough to handle the lease. Enough to sit down with Julian. Enough to remember what my life looks like when I'm actually standing inside it.

Noah appears in my doorway wearing one sock. He looks at the suitcase. "Are we going somewhere?"

"No."

His face changes. Just slightly. "Are you?"

I sit on the edge of the bed. "I have to go to New York for a few days."

"Why?"

"Work."