“Tom!â€? Jeri screamed, walking through the front door and pointing at Cassie. “What is she doing on your lap?!â€?

Tom jumped at the sound of Jeri’s voice, effectively dumping Cassie in a confused heap on the floor. She looked up at him with accusing eyes. Her trademark unblinking stare simultaneously named him a coward while threatening future repercussions and consequences for dropping her so abruptly. He knew there’d be hell to pay later, but first he had to explain to Jeri.

“You said you were okay with her being here,â€? he started tentatively.

“Yes, but not on your lap,â€? she spat, “on my sofa!â€?

“Technically, it’s our sofa…â€? he paused, waiting for her reaction and, after receiving only a stony silence in response, attached a weak “honeyâ€? to his rebuttal.

Jeri inhaled deeply, effectively removing most of the oxygen from the room. “It is either me or her, Tom!â€? she declared, picking up her keys and retreating back through the door. “You have twenty-four hours.â€?

And then she was gone.