His thumb moved over mine.
“I came in here because I thought your things might help.”
“Did they?”
“I found the photograph from the yard’s first day.”
I looked toward the desk.
The frame stood faceup.
“Caleb had hair.”
“Barely.”
“You looked happy.”
“I was terrified.”
“Why?”
“I had borrowed more money than I believed I could repay. The roof leaked. We had two customers and one of them was Caleb’s uncle.”
“You still did it.”
“Yes.”
“Were you always brave?”
“No.”
“You seem brave.”
“That is because you met me after most of my mistakes became anecdotes.”
Noah smiled faintly.
He looked tired.
Too tired for this room, this mattress, or the conversation I wanted to continue.
“Dinner is here.”
His expression brightened.
“The date.”
“The date.”
“What are we calling it?”
“I thought you had a name.”
“The first one I get to keep.”
My chest tightened.
“That works.”
