had plenty of living to do. With others. Sydney 2.0 was done. She was going back to Original Sydney. That Sydney liked being around people.
She made straight for the super’s apartment and rang the bell. When Stu answered, she said, “I’m leaving Boston. My keys are on the table. You can have anything in the apartment that I’ve left—clothes, bedding, kitchen stuff. What you don’t want, give away. I’ll send you a check for two months’ rent since I didn’t give you any notice. Thanks, Stu. You always took good care of me.”
Before the dumbfounded super uttered a word, Sydney turned and wheeled her suitcase out of the building. Right on time, her car service pulled up. One of the perks of her job. Her usual driver got out.
“Going on a trip, Miss Brown?”
“Yes, Rick. Something came up unexpectedly. Out of the blue.”
He loaded the suitcase into the trunk and helped her into the car before climbing back into the driver’s seat.
“Straight to the airport?”
“No. I need to stop by work first. Can you wait and take me to the airport?”
“Sure. I was free this morning until your lunch appointment. Guess that’s canceled now.”
Sydney grinned. “It will be.”
As Rick pulled away from the curb, she took out her phone and booked a flight to LA. She’d wait to cancel her meetings until she got to the office. She didn’t want the cat getting out of the bag too early.
Seven minutes later, they pulled up at her office on Summer Street.
“Give me about half an hour, and then we’ll head straight to Logan.”
“You’re the boss.”
Sydney walked through the doors to her office building for the last time. Strangely, she felt nothing. That told her that she was doing the right thing. She took the elevator up to the fourteenth floor and swiped her security badge to gain admittance to the law firm. She waved at the receptionist who was on the phone and headed back to her office. Her assistant, Brenda, met her, handing over a cup of coffee.
“Thanks.”
“You’ve got—”
“Come into my office, Brenda.” Sydney went inside and looked around. It could’ve been anyone’s office. A few pictures from fundraisers adorned the walls, along with plaques of awards she’d won. Her briefcase sat atop her desk. She’d worked so late last night that it hadn’t been worth toting it home. She set down her coffee and opened the briefcase, clearing out all the files. She left her favorite fountain pen and a yellow legal tablet inside, along with her laptop. She’d use those on the plane. To start her first . . . whatever.
Sydney tapped the folders on the desk so they formed a neat stack and then handed them to her assistant. “You’re in charge of these and canceling whatever’s on my calendar.”
“For . . . today?”
“For good.”
Brenda’s jaw dropped. “You’re quitting?”
Sydney nodded. “I am. As of today. Actually, as soon as go in and tell Simon.”
Brenda’s eyes widened. “He’s going to shit bricks, Sydney.”
“Then line ‘em up and sell tickets.”
“You’re serious.”
“I am. I’ve been unhappy for a while, and I’ve decided to do something about it.”
Brenda gave her a crooked smile. “Good for you, Sydney. Good for you.” Her eyes misted over. “I’m going to miss you.”
Sydney gave her a hug. “I’ll miss you, too.”
“If you ever need another assistant, I’d be happy to follow you wherever. Especially if you decide to practice a more exciting kind of law.”
Sydney kept a straight face. Brenda watched every crime drama on TV and was always talking about criminal cases that appeared in the Boston newspapers. If her assistant only knew just how different Sydney’s life was going to be. Still, Brenda was as sharp as anyone she’d known in law school and constantly thought out of the box. Maybe Sydney would reach a point where she might need an assistant.
“I’ll keep you in mind, Brenda. Thanks for the offer.”
The young woman gave her a smile. “Then I guess I’ll go start canceling appointments.”
Sydney took a deep breath. One minor roadblock down. One major hurdle still ahead. She stepped into the corridor and saw Simon’s executive assistant at the coffeemaker as she passed the staff kitchen. That would make it easier to slip in with no one manning the desk outside Simon’s door. His assistant could be a real dragon, guarding Simon’s time.
The managing partner’s door was open, which was unusual. Simon stood looking out his window, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.
Sydney rapped on the door. “Hi, Simon. I need