Page 176 of Sin

“Again with the reasonable.”

“I’m unbearable today.”

“Truly.”

He smiles, then reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out a small envelope.

For one insane second, I think it’s another letter and my stomach drops.

Tate notices and shakes his head. “Relax. Not from him.”

He slides it across the table.

“What is it?”

“Your launch bonus confirmation.”

I blink. “What?”

“Protected. In writing. Separate from your employment decision. Whether you stay, leave, take time, or run away to become a lighthouse keeper.”

“I’ve always thought I’d make an excellent lighthouse keeper.”

“You’d redesign the lighthouse within a week.”

“Obviously. Some of them have terrible branding.”

He smiles, but mine falters as I open the envelope and scan the document. The number makes my breath catch. Not because it’s as much as Sex Activity Pro. It isn’t. Because it’s proof that the company is not erasing me and that my work still matters. Proof that I am not being quietly punished while everyone smiles and says words like valued.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You earned it.”

“I know.”

This time, I almost believe it.

We eat for a while in easier silence.

Then Tate says, “Whatever you choose, don’t make the decision from fear.”

I look at him.

“That’s all I’m saying,” he adds. “Don’t stay because you’re afraid leaving means he wins or loses or whatever. Don’t go because you’re afraid everyone will think you only stayed for him. Pick the life you actually want once the noise fades.”

“What if I don’t know what I want?”

“You do.”

I laugh once. “Bold claim.”

“You know. You’re just afraid of the cost.”

After lunch, Tate walks me outside. The air is cold, but bright, the kind of late-afternoon light that makes the city look kinder than it is. He hugs me before I can prepare for it. It is warm and brotherly and completely unfair.

“Read the letter,” he says against my hair.

“Bossy.”