“Zoe said it didn’t go well.”

I frown. Laura is sitting on a stool with a mug of coffee at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, wearing her polka-dot dressing gown and a judgmental expression. Her eyes are outlined by thick, dark circles, and without her makeup, she’s very pale.

I pull up a stool beside her and pour my own cup of coffee. “What is it with you two talking about me? When did she call you?”

“Last night, after you got in. She said you two decided it wasn’t going to work out.”

“Seems that way.”

“Huh. That’s a shame. You both seemed so pumped about this online thing. It’s all boiled down to nothing.”

“That’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Laura’s frown deepens, and she can’t contain her frustration anymore. She snaps at me, her voice full of exasperation. “How can you not get along with Zoe, Tom? She’s the nicest person in the world. What did you do?”

I almost choke on my surprise. “Me? She started attacking me pretty much from the moment I picked her up.”

“That’s not how she sees it.”

“She’d already decided she wasn’t going to have a good time. I don’t even know why she bothered.”

“Because she had feelings for Tom.”

“I’m Tom. Doesn’t anybody seem to get that? TJ, Tom—they’re the same fucking person.”

“Watch your language. Jack’s in the next room.”

“Sorry.”

Laura leans in toward me. She’s biting her lip like she’s nervous. “I wanted to talk to you about the kids.”

“Really? What did I do now? Accidentally wear too expensive a watch? Use a grammatically incorrect sentence and irreparably damage their understanding of the English language?”

“Actually, I have a favor to ask.”

“It’s not like you to ask me for favors.”

“I’ve got no other choice this time.” Laura looks up at me with big, pleading eyes. “My usual sitter called this morning. Her mom’s been rushed to the hospital. She’s in critical condition. She can’t look after the kids this time.”

I understand what she’s asking me and quickly shake my head. “No. No way.”

“Please, Tom!” Laura begs. “I can’t cancel this trip. It’s a huge event, worth thousands.”

“I’ll pay for a different sitter.”

“I want you to look after them.”

I narrow my eyes. “Were you planning this all along?”

“No! The sitter called me, I swear.”

“Why can’t Zoe do it?”

“Zoe has to work, Tom. You’re going to be here anyway. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

“The big deal is that I can’t seem to do anything right around here, and I don’t want to have to answer to you when you get back for everything I screwed up while you were gone.”

“I’ll leave you instructions, and Zoe will check in. Honestly, Tom, it’ll be easy.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Please.”

“Why? You know someone else would do a better job than me.”

“Because like it or not, you’re related to those kids. They’re your niece and nephew. They’re my son and daughter. And for the life of me, I can’t understand why that doesn’t seem to matter to you. You should want to know them.”

“I do want to know them. I just don’t want to babysit them.”

Laura scowls. “God, Tom, you’re impossible!”

“What? Laura, you’re the one being unreasonable. I know you orchestrated this whole thing, but it’s not a good idea.”

“That’s not true! The sitter called—”

I raise an eyebrow. I’m onto her. “Get someone else. I’ll stay at a hotel for the week, then we’ll pick it up right before Thanksgiving.”

“I want you to do this for me. Tom, I’m begging you. Please. When do I ever ask you for anything?”

I look at her pained expression and feel that gnaw of guilt again. It’s true. No matter what I’ve had, Laura has never asked for a thing. She’s hardly asking for the world now: a week with my niece and nephew.

“Fine. But I don’t appreciate the dishonesty, Laura. And I’m not taking responsibility for any broken bones, or God knows what else these kids may get themselves into.”

Laura grins, leaps up from her stool, and throws her arm around my neck so enthusiastically that she spills half her coffee.

I smile. It’s good to see Laura happy.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’ve got no idea how much this means to me.” She catches herself. “I mean, that you would step up when I’m out of options.”

“I’ll do it for you, Laura.”

“And for the kids.”

“For them, too.”

“I’ll write down everything, and Megan will help out with Jack, and Zoe will come by every day to check in. All you have to do is be here.”