"Careful stepping out," one of them warned.
Brielle got out first. Then she turned and offered me her hand.
I almost did not take it.
Then I did.
Her palm was cold, but her grip was steady.
We stepped into the hallway, and there was Jeremy.
He was standing near the security desk, tie loosened, phone in his hand. The moment he saw us together, his face changed. Not into fear at first. Into calculation.
"Maya," he said, rushing forward. "Are you okay? I got your text late. I was in a meeting."
I looked at Brielle.
She looked at me.
Then I held up the lunchbox.
"You forgot this," I said.
Jeremy's eyes flicked to Brielle. "What's going on?"
Brielle's mouth tightened. "Don't."
His jaw hardened. "This isn't the place."
"No," I agreed quietly. "Our marriage wasn't the place either, but you still brought someone else into it."
His face went pale. "Maya, let me explain."
