I’m going to melt right into this seat or combust, whichever comes first. Not because of the question, not even the tone of his voice, but the way he looked at me just then. Like the wink, it was a bit disarming. I happened to catch Chantal’s eye, and the glare she gave me was as good as a kick under the table; it loosened my tongue that had tied itself in knots. “I didn’t do anything much, just hung around the house.”

I suck at this. I’m the one who opened the door, but ...