“Can I join you?” she asked.

“Yeah, sure, come on.” He patted the tile floor and she crawled under, leaning against the wall next to him. It wasn’t a big table, pressed into a little breakfast nook. It only sported two chairs since only Chloe and David lived in the huge old Victorian house, but Annie and the stranger both fit comfortably enough underneath.

“So… you just wanted a break from all of that?” She waved her hand toward the door.

“Something like that.”

“Me, too.” Annie sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. She had forgotten about the bump and winced when she made contact. She brought her hand up to rub the sore spot-at least it was something to feel.

“I noticed.” He chuckled.

She flushed. “You didn’t hear what I said out there, did you?” That thought made her cringe with embarrassment.

“Yeah.” He sounded sad, but she didn’t sense a lot of judgment or a big guilt trip coming.

“Whoops. I was hoping you didn’t know what a bitch I can be,” she admitted. “First impressions and all…”

“Maybe it’s better if we all start out knowing who we really are. Wouldn’t that be a great change? Instead of just looking at people and assuming you know who they are…”

Annie waited for him to finish, but he didn’t, so she went on. “Actually, I’m not really like that. Most of the time. I mean, sometimes, sure, aren’t we all? But tonight, well, let’s just say there were extenuating circumstances.” Annie remembered John crawling across the circle, his eyes flickering between the hemline of her skirt and the V of her blouse. She couldn’t recall if he was licking his lips, but she could have sworn he was. It was always the same-even with her own brother-in-law.

“Were there?” He sounded interested, but Annie didn’t want to go there.

“Something like that.” They sat in silence for a moment, but it was a comfortable one. “I know what it’s like, not wanting people to judge you on appearances.”