Mark zipped his leather briefcase with one sharp motion that rattled the glass coffee pot on the counter.

He didn’t look at me while he tightened his tie.

He tugged the silk knot twice, centering it against his collar before touching his cufflinks.

“Chicago came up twenty minutes ago,” Mark said.

“The regional director needs a full audit review on the Midwest accounts before Thursday.”

I set two ceramic mugs on the tray next to the sugar bowl.

“Yesterday you said the quarterly review was scheduled for next month.”

“Priorities shift,” he said, grabbing his briefcase off the island.

“I’ll be tied up in client meetings through Saturday night.”

I twisted my grandmother’s silver ring around my thumb, turning the cool metal against my skin until the band caught on my knuckle.

“My mother invited us for Sunday dinner.”

“Tell Evelyn I have to pass,” Mark said, checking his watch.

“And don’t start pulling out those commercial floor plan binders again while I’m gone.”

“The lease rate on the Elm Street storefront dropped yesterday,” I said.

“We talked about this, Claire,” Mark said, stepping past me toward the hallway.

“Your design studio stays on hold until my corporate performance bonuses come through in the spring.”

He pulled the heavy oak front door shut behind him before I could answer, the latch clicking into place.

I stood in the quiet kitchen for two minutes, watching the last of the coffee drip into the pot.