He glanced at his watch. “You made good time.”

“I did.”

“You should call Spenser. She’s texted me three times.”

“Just because she thinks you have a cute ass.”

He made a face. “Did you even tell her goodbye?”

I frowned. “She helped me pack. You clearly didn’t answer her texts or you would’ve known that.”

“I just don’t want your family thinking I stole you again.”

“They’ve never felt otherwise.”

“I’d like to get on their good side, you know. It’s dangerous not to be.”

I shrugged.

Trex touched the open driver’s side door as if it were gold. I didn’t have to ask. I knew seeing Matt’s truck opened old wounds.

“I’m selling her,” I said.

“You’re selling Beatrice.”

I nodded.

“Why would you sell Beatrice? Matt loved this hunk of junk.”

“New start, right? Isn’t that what you sold me on the phone?”

Trex let my words simmer, and he silently conceded. “Want me to go with you?”

“No, but you can help with these boxes.” I climbed into the truck bed, handing Trex the first box I touched.

He peered in. “Is this everything?”

I shrugged. “You said they furnished the house.”

“They did, but—”

“This is everything,” I said, putting my pack on my back and grabbing my duffle.

“They’re saying it’s been abnormally hot for this time of year,” Trex said. The box he held simply read MATT in black marker. The tape was pulling loose in some places, folding over in others. It had been packed up long before I loaded up for this trip. “Where should I…?”

I nodded down the hall. “You can put it in my closet, wherever the master is.”

Trex’s gaze lingered on the box in his hands, knowing it was all we had left of Matt.

I examined the living room.

“It’s a small two-bedroom, just like you asked,” Trex said, returning.

“Good. We can put everything else in the spare bedroom for now.” I passed through the living room, by the kitchen and dining room to a hallway. A full guest bath was on my left, and I turned right into the room I assumed was the spare. There was another room at the end of the hall.

Trex switched on the light, and the ceiling fan began to circle slowly. “Bianca said the utility is through the kitchen.”

“New girlfriend?” I asked, putting down the box in my hand, then went to the dining table.

Trex chucked, following me. “No. Bianca is the boss’s assistant. She said there’s a new washer and dryer. New carpet too, and granite.”