“How was San Francisco?” Mira asked.
“Good for clearing your head,” Tovia said. “The kind of city that doesn’t ask too many questions if you don’t want it to.”
Something moved in Mira’s expression. The recognition of someone who understood needing a place that didn’t ask questions. “I almost left Atherton twice,” she said. “Before the council. Before any of this. Good offers, other cities.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because leaving felt like letting something win.” A pause. “And I don’t do that well.”
Tovia looked at her across the table.
No, she thought. I imagine you don’t.
Across from her Sebastian was watching the two of them with the expression of a man witnessing something he had hoped for and was slightly afraid to trust. He caught Tovia’s eye. The old shorthand — well?
She looked
