The next day, I avoided him.
Not intentionally.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
I stayed focused. Kept my head down. Took on more work than necessary just to keep moving.
Because if I stopped—
If I slowed down—
I would think.
And thinking would take me back to that room.
To that moment.
To what he said.
“Because you matter.”
I tightened my grip on my pen slightly, forcing my attention back to the report in front of me.
It didn’t matter.
None of that mattered.
This was work.
Nothing else.
It had to stay that way.
“You’re overcompensating.”
I didn’t look up.
“Good morning to you too,” I said.
Lila’s voice had come through my phone earlier, but now it echoed in my head like she was standing right in front of me.
“I’m serious,” she continued. “You’re doing that thing.
