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Kate hadn’t spoken to Matt Fiorillo in years. Even at the funeral, they successfully avoided each other. At the time, his presence had even felt... voyeuristic.
“Why’d you come, Matt?” she asked as he followed her through to the kitchen, where she landed behind a chair. She felt a little naked in front of him. She hadn’t brought her most fashionable outfits or all of her makeup and hair products. He was seeing her plainly, as she was.
“Mainly to see if you are okay.”
“Really?” She frowned. Kate had no reason to be angry with Matt. And, she wasn’t. But still, she couldn’t quite trust him, interrupting her and her sisters like that.
He dropped his voice. “Really. Are you?”
“Am I what?”
“Are you okay?”
Her eyes fell to his hands, work worn and bigger than she remembered. “I guess.”
In a moment, he was next to her. “Is there anything I can do?”
Shaking her head, Kate blinked away a tear. She wanted to ask him about himself, but it wasn’t the time. Maybe it never would be.
“I’m here for you. Whatever you need. I can run errands. I can give you money—whatever you need.”
She looked up at him. “We don’t need your help, Matt. Thanks, but we will be okay.”
“And,” he replied, pausing momentarily. “Your sisters? How are they?”
Kate looked up sharply. “Fine. They’re fine. There are some complications, but we’ll make it work.”
He inhaled deeply and took a step back before waving his hand around. “What are you doing with this place?”
A shrug was all Kate could offer in reply. “We don’t know. My mom wasn’t very clear, unfortunately. Or, if she was, then we haven’t found out yet.”
“It is staying in the family, right? You four will get it, though?”
She frowned. “I hope so.”
Matt stepped back toward her, tucked the edge of his fingers under her chin and said, “Please let me know if I can help. Do you promise, Kate?”
A single tear spilled over her lash line and onto his hand. Kate sniffled and pulled away. “Of course. Thanks.” He started to walk out, but Kate called after him. “Matt.”
“Yes?”
“If, for some reason, we can’t keep this place—” she started.
He cut her off. “I’ll buy it. Name your price, and I’ll buy it.”