“Would you tell me if I asked?” “No,” I say honestly. “Annie asked me not to. So I have to keep my promise to her.” And for some reason, having Annie’s trust feels like holding the world. I never want to break it. “Good man. I knew I liked you.” She raises her mug. “Woulda lost a lot of respect for you if you’d caved right away.” Her eyes shift to the missing siding, and laughter springs to her eyes. She shakes her head with a smile. “Fool. You could’ve just told me Harriet was on her way to the bar early to take my place at poker night.”
