“Every mother in that room thinks I’m the reason Sadie doesn’t have what she needs.”

“They don’t think that,” Ben said, though he looked down at the gravel as he said it.

He reached into his heavy coat pocket and took out his leather wallet.

“How much does Chloe want for the dress deposit?”

“A hundred and fifty dollars,” I said.

“Just to hold the fitting room on Saturday.”

“I’ve got eighty in cash right here,” Ben said, opening the dark leather fold.

“No,” I said, reaching out to push his hand down.