Jack gave her a lazy wave. « Appreciate it. »
Her smile didn’t budge, but her eyes kept flicking behind us. Over my shoulder. Then over Jack’s.She leaned slightly, like she was trying to peek inside.
I stepped to the side. Her gaze traveled down our hallway. Then back toward the living room.
« You folks settling in okay? » she asked, blinking fast.
« Yeah, » I said slowly. « Just moved in yesterday. »
« Such a lovely area, » she said, her eyes darting back to the doorframe. « Quiet. Clean. Very…orderly. »Jack crossed his arms. « We’re just here for work. Shouldn’t be any trouble. »
« Oh, I’m sure! » she said, her tone a little too bright. « Just wanted to say welcome. And one quick thing… »
I could feel it coming. That shift from cookies to complaints.
A mature woman with a fake smile | Source: Pexels
A mature woman with a fake smile | Source: Pexels
« Our HOA—very friendly, but firm—has a rule about cars, » she said. « Only one per household in the driveway. »
