No.” His answer was too quick. “I mean, you didn’t know him. It’d be weird. I’d rather deal with this alone.”

His tone felt strange, but I didn’t want to push him while he was grieving.

“Okay. When will you be back?”

“Sunday evening. I’ll pack light and take my car.”

Saturday morning dawned gray and rainy. Thane kissed my cheek before leaving. His bag looked barely packed.

“Drive safe,” I called from the porch.

“Yeah,” he said, already pulling out of the driveway.

The house felt hollow without him. Too quiet. So I decided to head to our country house that afternoon.