“What does that mean?”
Claire hesitated.
“When you offer something, he says yes even if we’ve already decided no.”
“Example.”
“The contractor deposit.”
June went still.
“We had decided to wait on renovations.”
June stared.
“Ethan told me the deposit was due.”
“It was. After he asked them to start.”
June’s expression hardened.
Claire continued.
“He told you we needed twelve thousand.”
“Yes.”
“He told me you offered.”
June sat very still.
“I did not offer.”
Claire gave a bitter laugh.
“I know that now.”
June looked toward the café window.
Employees moved through the corridor.
Cooks.
Laundry staff.
Housekeepers.
A man pulling bins of towels.
People doing visible work.
Family work was harder to see.
“Anything else?”
Claire nodded.
“The appliances.”
June already knew before she spoke.
“He told me you wanted to buy them as a housewarming gift.”
June closed her eyes.
“I paid because he told me your old appliances had failed and the renovation went over budget.”
Claire’s face changed.
“Our old appliances were fine.”
June looked at her.
“We sold them.”
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Claire laughed once.
