“The lighting in this whole house is terrible,” Vanessa said, checking her reflection in the glass of a framed watercolor print.

“We can replace the window treatments next month,” Mark said, following her into the room.

He stood beside the sofa with his hands shoved deep in his trouser pockets.

“Vanessa is closing out her current boutique lease at the end of the month,” Mark said, leaning against the arm of the sofa.

“She needs space to store her inventory while we redo the downstairs.”

Vanessa tapped her fingernails on the glass side table.