“No worries,” I reply, but I’m barely listening.
Because then I hear it. A laugh I haven’t heard in days. A laugh that used to echo through our kitchen while she made her morning coffee. It stops me dead in my tracks.
I turn—and there she is.
Becca.Standing with Bennet fucking Jones.
She’s fresh from work, still in her black slacks that hug her hips like a second skin. Her blouse is that white one she found on sale at TJ Maxx last year and couldn't stop bragging about. Her long blonde hair is pulled into a low ponytail, and she looks … goddamn beautiful.
What is she doing here? With him?And then it clicks.
Jones is a builder; she brought him up late last year. She’s moving forward on building on the lot. Without me.
I don’t know if I want to yell or beg.
Becca leans over the sample counter, pointing at a display.
“So,” she asks Bennet, “which one of these is, like, the idiot-proof version? I want something I can install myself without ending up on TikTok for it.”
I smirk. Becca is many things, but she’s never been handy. That was always my domain.
Bennet laughs a little too warmly. “You’ll want luxury vinyl plank. Affordable and really forgiving to install. I can stay late one night and show you how, if you’d like.”
Before she can answer, I step behind her.
“That won’t be necessary,” I say flatly.
Becca jumps slightly, turning to look at me. Her mouth opens in surprise. “Sam?” She pauses. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” she says, tone colder this time.
“I’m picking up a box for a site. Short shipment.”
“Oh. Right.”
Bennet claps his hands awkwardly. Becca straightens and clears her throat, shifting her attention back to the task at hand.
“So, when exactly do I need the floors by?” she asks Bennet. “And when are we installing?”
His eyes widen in excitement. “Is this a yes, you're in?!"
Becca beams. "Yes, thanks for walking me through some options. I watched some YouTube tutorials last night and ran my projected numbers. I think I can do this."
“Yes!" Bennet high-fives my wife before continuing. "We break ground tomorrow then. You’ll want to have the flooring purchased by end of next week. Install windows about five days after that. You’ll also need backsplash tile and light fixtures ready by then. Painting can wait ’til the final walkthrough.”
Becca nods, already entering notes into her phone. “Got it. Thank you for the timeline—and the help. I really appreciate it.”
“No, thankyou,” Bennet says. “I got a call from someone saying you recommended me already. I have an appointment right after this. It means a lot having your support.Small town like Cascadia can be difficult to break into the market.”
She smiles. “Of course. I only recommend people who are reliable. You’re making my dreams come true, you’re the one that deserves the thanks."
That one hits like a sucker punch.I was supposed to make her dreams come true.
As Bennet walks off, we’re left in awkward silence. Becca turns back to the vinyl plank samples, running her fingers over the textures, flipping over price tags with a sigh.
“So,” I start, trying not to screw this up, “you reached out to Jones. Going with the tiny house?”
She doesn’t look at me. “This wasn't the plan originally. It just … shifted when I lost seventy-five grand and my free labor.”
I wince. Her voice wavers, but her hands stay steady.
