The light clicked on.
Nicole startled—visibly—but Edgar smiled as he stepped into the room.
“Sweetie,” he said gently, “you forgot to turn on the light.”
She was sitting at the desk, blinking at the screen like she’d been caught doing something mildly embarrassing—ordering shoes, maybe. Or checking work emails on vacation.
“Oh,” she said, her voice tight. “Yeah—I just… couldn’t sleep. Figured I’d check in on work stuff real quick.”
She moved the mouse quickly, clicking out of whatever she’d been typing. He didn’t look. He didn’t need to.
He nodded, understanding. “Of course. You work hard. I love that about you.”
She stood a little too fast. He stepped aside to let her pass.
She mumbled something about going back to bed.
He followed her into the hallway, not closely, just enough to be companionable.
“You okay?” he asked. “You seemed a little jumpy.”
She let out a breathy laugh. “Just tired. Weird house. New everything.”
“Totally makes sense,” he said. “It’s a lot.”
He paused at the kitchen, turned back. “Want some tea? Chamomile?”
She shook her head. “Maybe later.”
“Alright. Let me know.”
He watched her head back upstairs, one step at a time, bare feet on the hardwood.
She didn’t close the door all the way.
That was a good sign.
He moved back into the kitchen and started rinsing a mug, the water warm against his fingers.
She was adjusting. She’d had a long day. Anyone would be overwhelmed.
She just needed time.
He wiped down the counter and took out the drawer with the green pens.
Picked one up, tested it on a sticky note. Still smooth.
He smiled.
Hope today is even better than yesterday.
He folded the note and slid it under the edge of her Tupperware for tomorrow’s lunch.
Then turned out the light.
She was going to love it here.