Then they hit.
"A non-compete?" My voice comes out strangled. "What does that mean?"
"The person who doesn't take the internship agrees not to pursue opportunities in economic policy at any partner institution for five years," Sterling says calmly. "No internships. No fellowships. No entry-level positions. You'd be locked out of the field."
The room spins. I grip Devan's hand until my knuckles ache.
"That's insane," Devan says. His composure is cracking. "You can't ask us to—"
"We're not asking." Sterling's voice hardens. "We're offering a choice. One of you takes the career-making opportunity. The other steps aside. Permanently."
"Why?" I manage. "Why would you—"
"Because I need to know you can prioritize," Sterling says. "Make the hard choice. The rational choice." He leans forward. "Consider it a final test."
"And if we both refuse?" Devan asks.
"We select a candidate from another school. Neither of you gets anything." Sterling shrugs. "Your choice."
I look at Devan. He looks at me.
"Twenty-four hours," Sterling says. "Nine a.m. tomorrow. You can go."
We stand on shaky legs and make it to the door.
"Oh, and gentlemen?" Sterling's voice stops us. "Choose wisely. One of you has a bright future. The other... well. There are other fields."
The door closes behind us. We stand frozen in the hallway.
"I'll sign it," Devan says quietly.
"What?" I spin to face him. "No. Devan—"
"You take the internship." His face is pale, resolved. "This is what you've worked for. I'm not letting you lose it because of me."
"Are you insane?" My voice echoes off the walls. "I'm not building my career on your professional grave! That's not winning, that's just losing differently."
"Sam—"
"No!" I grab his shirt, forcing him to look at me. He's so much taller that I have to crane my neck, but I don't care. "You don't get to sacrifice yourself and call it love. That's not how this works."
"Then what?" His voice cracks. "I'm not letting you sign it either. I won't. I'll forge your rejection before I let you give up your future for me."
"So we're at a stalemate," I say bitterly. "Both too stubborn to fall on the sword."
"Apparently."
We stare at each other. My heart pounds. My eyes burn.
This is what Sterling wanted. This impossible choice designed to tear us apart.
"There has to be another way," I whisper.
"If there is," Devan says quietly, "I don't see it."
Neither do I.
Sam
