*Claire*

We walked back to the front of the apartment to find Eric listening to Mr. Carter tell stories from his time at the hotel. Eric probably knew most of the people Mr. Carter was talking about. I walked to Eric. He opened his arm for me as I walked up. I stepped next to him, wrapping my arm around his waist as we stood listening to Mr. Carter’s story.

After he finished, Mr. Carter looked at me, smiling. “Miss Claire, I don’t think you’ll be needing my ...