“Dinner’s on the table,” I said.

“Eat your cake, and then we’ll talk about what comes next.”

“That’s fair,” she said, slipping past me into the hall.

We went back out to the dining room, where the kids were gathered around the long oak table.

Vanessa put her big black handbag down on the empty chair beside hers.

Mark came over to me while Vanessa was taking her seat, leaning in so close his shoulder brushed mine.

“Check out her purse,” Mark whispered, tipping his head toward the chair.