Ben said nothing, but another moment later Josh felt the older man’s hand on his shoulder.

Ben was right. There was nothing to say. Time would pass. Time had already left him behind. He handed the wire, now a small box with a lid, to Ben and stood up. “You’re right. Thanks, Dad,” he said, and for a second—just a fraction of a second—he could smell his wife’s perfume. He headed for the door.

“Hey.” Ben’s voice stopped him. “You don’t get to call me Dad and then leave without a hug.”

Josh wasn’t a hugger. Well, he didn’t used to be. Seemed like he was getting pretty good at it. Ben’s eyes were shiny when they pulled apart. He patted Josh on the cheek, and Josh smiled.

Nice to have someone who didn’t need a lot of words. Nice to have a father who understood him so well.

FRANK THE REALTOR had just about squealed when he heard Josh’s budget, which Josh had given as “probably not more than $2 million.”

“I have plenty to show you,” Frank said breathlessly. “When are you free?”

Josh called Sarah and Radley to see if they wanted to come along. “Oh, my God, absolutely,” Radley said. “It’ll be the only time I get to see inside some of these beauties.”

Sarah, too, was thrilled. “I love seeing other people’s houses,” she said as they approached stop number one.

“Such a voyeur,” Radley said.

“Exactly.”

“Hello!” said the Realtor, cantering over to meet them. “Joshua Park? So nice to meet you! I’m Frank!”

“Gay,” Radley muttered. “He’s eye-fucking me already.”

“He’s eye-fucking Josh’s bank account,” Sarah murmured.

Josh ignored the naughty children and got out, shook hands and introduced his friends. “They’re—”

“We’re getting married, and Josh is buying us a house!” Radley exclaimed, gripping Sarah’s arm. “So generous!”

“Really, Josh, you didn’t have to. But we’re grateful,” Sarah added, fixing Radley’s hand so they looked more natural.

“Wow, that’s super fun!” said Frank, the poor slob, looking slightly confused.

“Let’s go in,” Josh suggested, then whispered to his friends. “Why are you lying?”

“It’s more fun this way,” Radley whispered back. They approached the monstrous house, which was one of the great Victorian beauties on College Hill. Josh had always thought it was a museum, truthfully.

“So this is a six-bedroom home with a fully updated kitchen, attic space, separate garage and—”

“We’ll just look around and ask questions as they arise,” Radley said. “Come, precious, let’s wander.” He led Sarah inside, holding her hand if she were the queen and he her devoted foot servant.

The house was beautiful, that was for sure. Huge, too. It had a big entrance foyer with a sweeping staircase, formal dining room on one side, giant paneled living room on the other.