Vanessa stopped beside him.
“I brought you something.”
He put down his screwdriver.
“What’s that?”
“Lunch. You must be starving.”
“Thank you, but Rachel’s making lunch.”
Vanessa glanced toward the house.
“Does Rachel always take care of you like that?”
He frowned.
“What does that mean?”
She lowered her voice, although not enough for me to miss the next sentence through the open window.
“It means a man like you deserves to feel wanted. Not just useful.”
Irvin straightened.
“I feel wanted in my marriage.”
“Of course you would say that.”
“No, Vanessa. I would say it because it’s true.”
She placed the bag on the fence.
“Keep it. No strings attached.”
“Then you won’t mind if I give it to Rachel.”
Her smile disappeared.
“You really don’t know how to accept a compliment, do you?”
“I know how to accept one. I’m trying to explain that what you’re offering isn’t appropriate.”
