It was, deliberately, an answer that could mean anything.

And Wendy heard in it the thing she wanted to hear — that I was on hers, that I had folded, as I always folded, that the harmless numbers guy had once again chosen peace over confrontation.

Her shoulders relaxed.

A small, satisfied smile touched her mouth.

And she turned on her heel and went upstairs to bed, certain she had won, in the way she was certain of everything.

I listened to the bedroom door click shut above me.