I heard the quick metal clink of his wristwatch as he slid it back and forth on his wrist, the nervous habit he always fell into when he felt cornered.

“She’s lived here eighteen months for free,” Renee said.

“We can’t keep shouldering extra household costs while your commission pipeline is bone dry.”

“I’m working on a big listing,” Daniel said, his voice rising a little with defensive pride.

“The historic Craftsman house on Willow Creek Lane hits the market next month.”

“We need that casita emptied by late fall, Daniel,” she said.

“If we turn it into a dedicated home office, we can take the tax write-off on our return.”