“Tell her the good part,” Dad said, trying to smooth the air.
Jake brightened again. “The buyers are a nice young couple. First home. They loved the neighborhood. I saved you a ton in commission by finding them myself.”
“You found buyers yourself,” I repeated.
“David and Michelle Parker,” he said proudly. “They already moved in. You should send them a card.”
Someone laughed again, smaller this time.
I walked to the sideboard and set my phone face down beside a crystal candy dish. The screen kept buzzing against the wood. Secure messages. Missed calls. Names I could not say out loud in a room full of relatives who still thought I spent my days filing forms.
Jake pointed toward the cake. “You might want to thank me before the frosting gets stale.”
I smiled.
It was not a warm smile, and he noticed.
“What?” he said.
