You just need to rest up for the big signing Friday.”

“Where did Chloe go?” I asked, glancing at the dark glass of the patio doors.

“She ran to the mall for a dress for the reception,” Tiffany said.

“She’ll be back before dinner.”

She reached down, picked up her iced tea, and took a long sip.

When she set the glass down, her fingers brushed the folded paper in her purse and knocked it onto the concrete next to my boot.

“Oops,” she said, not getting up.