I won't. Beth reached the door and paused. And never tell me anything about the bathrobe. Anna covered her face. I was hoping we could forget that.
Not a chance. For the first time in 2 days, they laughed. The next morning, the listing agent called Tom. There was already interest in the open house. If he wanted to cancel, he had to decide before the end of the day.
Tom stood alone in the kitchen after the call ended. For years, grief had made decisions for him. Then Beth's fear had tried to. Now the house was quiet, and for the first time, the choice was entirely his. Anna returned the following afternoon with a folder under one arm and the spare house key in her palm.
She told herself this was closure, nothing more. The paperwork was finished. Her notes were organized. Whatever Tom decided about the house, it was no longer her responsibility. Tom opened the door, fully dressed this time.
Anna noticed. She hated that she noticed. Hi. Hi. For two people who had nearly kissed only days earlier.
They had become remarkably bad at basic conversation. Tom stepped aside. Murphy came trotting from the hallway. The moment he saw Anna, his tail moved so hard his entire back half followed. Anna crouched.
Don't make this difficult. Murphy licked her chin. Traitor. Tom almost smiled. Anna followed him into the dining room and placed the folder on the table.
Everything's here. Vendor numbers, donation, pickup, repair estimates. I marked what can wait if you decide not to list. Tom looked at it. Thank you.
Anna nodded and placed the spare key beside the folder. The small metallic sound seemed much louder than it should have. There. She reached for her bag. Murphy moved first.
One second. The key was on the table. The next it was in his mouth. Murphy. The dog trotted toward the front hall.
Anna stared. You have got to be kidding me. Murphy reached the doorway, lowered himself onto the rug, and placed one paw over the key, exactly where he had lain on Anna's car keys the first day. For several seconds, nobody spoke. Then Anna laughed, not politely, not carefully.
She laughed until she had to put one hand against the wall. Tom smiled. I believe we've seen this strategy before. He needs new material. Murphy rested his chin over the key.
Anna crouched in front of him. No. Tom glanced toward her. You don't get to decide this, buddy. Murphy's tail tapped the floor. You can steal keys.
You can block doors. You can manipulate adults with your face. Another tail tap. But you don't get to decide who stays. Anna lifted her eyes to Tom.