Almost a week had passed since Gretchen told her to go, and they had been nothing more than cold, cordial, and parents when together. But even at Gretchen’s urging, Jax wouldn’t leave. She stayed with Gretchen but kept her distance. As awkward as it had been, she knew it was the right thing to do.

She waited for Gretchen to get herself together for her checkup, and her every pleasantry was met with silence. Jax sat in the waiting room of the imaging center and zoned out to immortal game shows on the television. When Gretchen stepped out of the restricted area, she barely cast Jax a glance. They even remained quiet as they drove to the doctor’s office together on Valentine’s Day.

“How did it go?” she said. She was ready to crawl out of her skin from discomfort.

Gretchen continued to look out the window. “You should quit your job.”

She did a double take. “What?”

Gretchen turned to Jax with an odd look in her eyes.

Jax’s phone started to ring through the speakers. She answered and immediately regretted it when Randy’s voice filled the cabin. “Hey, Randy. What’s up?”

“The brochures you made for the youth center need to be revamped.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s not exactly what they were looking for.”

She watched Gretchen out of the corner of her eye. “I carefully followed the very extensive list of specs they sent.”

“I guess it wasn’t good enough. I sent the revisions to your email, and I hope you can have it done by the end of the workday tomorrow.”

She gripped the steering wheel so tightly she felt the skin of her palms burn. “Fine.”

“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jax disconnected the call and shut off the radio, plunging them into complete silence. She drove a few blocks before speaking. “I can’t just quit.”

“I know, but I hope you’re looking. You’re miserable.”

Jax was struck by Gretchen’s sincerity. “I’m working on it,” Jax said, keeping her reply simple. The last thing she wanted to admit was how losing Gretchen was the greatest source of her misery, because a rough day at the office wasn’t so bad when she came home to the woman she loved. “We’re here.” Jax pulled into the parking lot.

They rode the elevator up to Dr. Melendez’s office in silence. Jax watched Gretchen out of the corner of her eye, worry overwhelming her. She knew their relationship had hit another setback, but in the past week it was like Gretchen had completely shut down again. She only opened up when Caleb or Amanda was around.

Gretchen stepped off the elevator and looked around, clearly lost in the expanse of the building. After glancing at the directory in front of her, Gretchen turned to the left and walked away, leaving Jax behind.