“I can’t walk into that board meeting looking like I haven’t slept a single minute,” he said, and his jaw was tight, and he said it as though it were the most reasonable concern in the world, as though I were the one being difficult.

“Right,” I said.

“That would clearly be the real emergency tonight.” It came out before I could decide whether to say it, dry and cold.

“Don’t start with me, Paige,” he snapped, and now he did look up, annoyed.

“You don’t get how high the stakes are for my job.

This is my career.”

“No,” I said, and I pulled my daughter a little tighter against me, her hot cheek against my collarbone.

“I think I’m starting to get it completely.” And I was.