“I didn’t say you did.”
“You said I was lying.”
“I still haven’t ruled it out.”
“That’s fair.”
His willingness to admit that irritated me almost as much as his face.
We made sandwiches at the narrow counter. Jonah sliced a tomato while I arranged turkey and cheese on the bread. He offered mustard. I found mayonnaise. Neither of us needed instructions, and neither tried to take over.
We sat across from each other at the table.
The window behind Jonah framed dark pines and the final slant of sun. Without the truck and work gear between us, he looked even larger. His shoulders filled the back of the chair, and the short beard sharpened a mouth that would’ve been too pretty without it.
I took a bite of my sandwich before that thought developed consequences.
“How long is the placement?” he asked.
“One week.”
“Starting today?”
“Yes.”
“And someone expected you to stay here without confirming it with me?”
“Someone believed they had confirmed it.”
“Who arranged your side?”
“My family.”
“Do they usually make decisions like this for you?”
I set down the sandwich. “We had a disagreement.”
“What kind?”
“The kind that isn’t your business.”
He accepted that without pushing.
“How much did you agree to?” he asked.
“One week in Colorado.”
“At this cabin?”
“With the man who accepted me.”
“I didn’t.”
“I understand your position.”
“It’s not a position.”
“Jonah, either someone impersonated you with enough detail to pass a background review, or you’re a convincing liar. I’m allowed to remain undecided until I have evidence.”
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