u

ll just as I stepp

sleep. I stayed in the hallway, only

y, Mrs. Jacobs," he said, smooth as

eath

here.

I feared. Impeccably dressed, tall, confident. He looked like

aughter, Lucy?" M

Yes. I'm her

t, but I noticed. She turned s

myself against the wall,

d fou

dn't

oul

ust out of sight, heart pounding in

said slowly. Her voice was kind, but cautious n

used when he wanted to win someone over. "We've been tog

s one wo

," he added, voice dipped in concer

ectly-just enough charm, just enough worry. He always knew

leep, but you're welcome to wait in the

lease

her footsteps move

ow, steady, as he stepp

-

the stairs, Mike's vo

acobs?"

ed, turn

yet. I imagine she's exhausted. Lucy works hard-alwa

Anyone else would've been touche

le, "Could I use your kitchen? I'd love to make h

ted, surprised b

of you," she said. "Yes, of

of the hallway tabl

s class

. Perfect on

ce-just polished enough to make people

etting t

ho knew what was really

to my room, my bare feet

still fast asleep. My heart hadn't stopped racing since I heard his voice. I cli

int clatter of pans. Mike

urse

soft and unhurried. She still be

voice drifted from

, wak

ur from Da

" she said gently. "A man. Mike Van

was a

ered to make her breakfast.

catch. Probably still half-asleep. Bu

lankets, listening as my world sl

the stairs. If I hadn't been so anxio

rs, barely breathing, ears tu

then Dad, his usual slow, heavy steps.

d up, polite and composed. "It's

l. "Likewise... though I didn't know L

She's been working so hard. I thought she could u

with surprise: "Y

st I could do. And I made enough for a

ved, silverware clinking gent

" he added. "Let her sleep a b

the stairs ag

l, I did

g playlist echoed faintly from inside. She was proba

s tighter, ever

as c

, toast with avocado the way she liked it, and

sic coming from another room-probably t

rehearsed. He'd made a good impression downstairs. Her mother h

them. They barel

y would

stairs, slowing just sligh

called out. Hadn't run to him. Th

ng, th

was smart. Independent

p on the tray and t

knocking, he o