Evelyn’s POV

The kettle whistled. I let it scream for a second too long before turning off the stove.

Claire watched me from the couch, one eyebrow raised. “So… are we gonna talk about him showing up here or are we just gonna pretend that didn’t happen?”

I shrugged, pouring the hot water into two mugs. “What’s there to say? He came. He knocked. I didn’t open.”

Claire accepted her cup, blowing on the steam. “But you were ...