“Because the schedule is tight.”
“Because I’m not there.”
“Partly.”
He lowered the sandwich.
I reached across the table.
“Noah, that is not an accusation.”
“You have to cover my work.”
“Caleb and Owen know the vessels. I know the vessels. You are one highly skilled person, not the only person in the county who can test a circuit.”
“I used to lead that contract.”
“Yes.”
“So now you do.”
“Yes.”
“And take care of me.”
“Yes.”
“And fight with insurance.”
“Yes.”
“And sleep four hours.”
“That is an unrelated personal failing.”
His expression did not soften.
“I’m making everything harder.”
“The collision made everything harder.”
“I’m still the reason you come upstairs.”
“You’re the reason I want to.”
“That isn’t the same.”
“No.”
I held his gaze.
“It is more important.”
His throat moved.
He looked down at our hands.
“Do you always know how to answer?”
