Then read it again.
It’s exactly what I needed without knowingI needed it.
“Amara looked this over for me already,” I admit. “She said it was cleaner than most corporate deals she reviews.”
“Amara Khan is excellent,” Elena says with genuine respect. “I’m glad you had someone in your corner.”
Not just in my corner...
Actually fighting for me when I was too emotionally wrecked to fight for myself.
“One more thing,” Marco says, glancing at Elena. “We’re not doing the nanny contract.”
Elena’s eyebrows raise slightly. “No?”
“No.” He looks at me. “If Jess decides to move back in at some point, it’ll be as my partner. Not my employee. We’ll hire someone else for childcare coverage if needed.”
What?
Oh.
Oh.
If I decide to move back in...
My face goes hot. “Marco, I—”
“That works,” Elena interrupts smoothly, like she expected this all along. “Keeps everything clean. No power imbalance issues.” She slides the Brave Kitchen agreement across the table. “This is the only contract you need.”
Marco signs first. Then Rahul. Then Elena.
They all look at me.
I pick up the pen. Hesitate.
Then sign.
Elena gathers the documents with practiced efficiency. “Congratulations. You’re officially an independent contractor with full creative control over Brave Kitchen.”
“And Marco’s officially a silent benefactor whokeeps his opinions to himself,” Rahul adds with a small smile.
Marco huffs a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”
They pack up their things.
Then they’re gone.
Leaving me alone with Marco in a library that suddenly feels much smaller than it did five minutes ago.
“So,” I say, because my brain is still stuck on what he said two minutes ago. “You said ‘ifI decide to move back in at some point.’ As your partner.”
He turns to face me fully. “I did.”
“Were you serious?” My voice comes out smaller than I intended. “Because that’s kind of a big thing to just drop in front of your lawyers.”
“I was serious.” He leans closer. “But only if you want to. No pressure. We can take it slowly.”
We just stand there for a beat, looking at each other like two idiots who forget how basic human interaction works.
