Chapter 3
When I woke up in Leah’s guest room, the clock on the nightstand said 4:38 p.m.
The curtains were closed. The room was quiet. Someone had left a glass of water beside the bed.
For the first time since leaving the hospital, I felt awake enough to think.
My phone had eleven unread messages. Three were from Ryan.
Are you coming home before work?
Emma finished filming. The bedroom is clear now.
We should talk when you’re less tired.
There was no apology. There was also no message saying he had restored my access to the house.
I opened the lock app.
My name was still gone.
Leah knocked softly and came in carrying coffee and toast.
“Do you want me to go back with you?” she asked.
“No. I need to handle this with Ryan.”
She studied my face but didn’t argue.
“If I’m not back before my shift, I’ll text you.”
Twenty minutes later, I was standing outside my own house again.
The temporary code had expired. I pressed the doorbell.
Ryan opened the door wearing the headset he used for work calls.
“You could’ve told me you were coming,” he said.
“I shouldn’t need an appointment to enter my house.”
He stepped aside. “You’re here now. Can we just reset today?”
“Yes. Restore my permanent access.”
“I said I would.”
“Do it now. I’ll wait.”
Ryan glanced toward his office. “I have a call in ten minutes.”
“This will take less than ten.”
He sighed, took out his phone, and opened the lock app.
A moment later, an invitation appeared on my screen. I accepted it, created a new code, and checked the account details.
Permanent resident access. No expiration.
Ryan put his phone away. “There. Fixed.”
I walked outside and closed the door behind me.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
I entered the new code. The lock flashed green, and the door opened.
“I’m making sure.”
“I told you I fixed it.”
“You also told me the guest code solved the problem.”
He looked away.
I stepped inside and closed the door.
“Now we need to talk about Emma.”
From upstairs came the sound of a drawer closing.
Ryan lowered his voice. “What about her?”
“What day is she moving out?”
“We’re still doing this?”
“She asked to stay for two weeks. It’s been seven.”
“She went through a terrible breakup, Claire.”
“I know. That’s why I agreed to two weeks.”
“She’s trying to find the right place.”
“Then give me a date.”
Ryan pulled off his headset. “Do you remember when you hurt your ankle last year? Emma brought you dinner. She drove you to your follow-up appointments when I couldn’t get away from work.”
“I remember.”
“She didn’t count the days when you needed help.”
The words landed exactly where he meant them to. Emma had helped me. I had been grateful then, and I was grateful now.
But gratitude was not the same as surrender.
“She helped me,” I said. “That doesn’t mean she gets to live here without an end date.”
I opened our old messages and found the one Emma had sent before moving in.
Just until I get through the next two weeks. I promise I won’t stay in your way.
I held the screen out to Ryan.
“When did two weeks become whenever she feels ready?”
“Her situation changed.”
“But our agreement didn’t.”
He looked toward the stairs.
“Let’s talk about it this weekend. All three of us.”
“When?”
“After the barbecue on Saturday.”
I had almost forgotten about it. We had invited eight friends over weeks ago, before the house started feeling like somewhere I needed permission to exist.
“We can cancel.”
“The food’s already ordered, and everyone confirmed.” He softened his voice. “Maybe having a normal afternoon will help. You and Emma can stop treating each other like enemies.”
“I’m not treating her like an enemy. I’m asking when she’s leaving.”
“And I said we’ll discuss it Saturday.”
I checked the time. I had to shower and leave for the hospital.
“Fine,” I said. “But the barbecue doesn’t replace the conversation.”
“It won’t.”
As I reached the bedroom, my phone buzzed with a message in our group chat.
It was from Emma.
Saturday at our place! Ryan’s handling the grill, and I’ll take care of everything else. Can’t wait to see you all!
Below it was a photo of the spotless entryway.
My coat, shoes, and badge dish were nowhere in sight.
Our place.
Seven weeks ago, Emma had asked to stay in our guest room.
Now she was inviting people into my house.