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“I have. It’s been really bad recently.”

“Fuck,” I said. “Are they finally stopping with their support?”

She shook her head. “Marjorie and Henrietta were worried about the library. Their email was never responded to, but the money arrived right on time.”

“It did?”

“Yes. They have their usual funding. Now, new stuff? Not so much. Wren is still waiting on something from a week ago.”

“Really? She didn’t mention it when I saw her last.”

“She only started worrying a few days after she sent it. And you’ve been busy with . . . you know who.”

“You can say his name.”

“Fine. Gabe.”

“Gabriel,” I corrected. “Gabe left a long time ago.”

“So you’re still touchy about things.”

I crossed my arms. “Did you really think I’d just get over it?”

“No, but I knew you’d want to.”

She had me there, and she’d given me good information about the STM grant, so it was only fair I kept my end of the deal.

“Maybe, but I won’t. I’m holding out this time.”

“And yet, you saw him.”

“There was an . . . issue with his kid. She snuck out and found her way to my apartment.”

“She snuck out? Good Lord, how old is she?”

“Around five.”

Kerry shook her head. “Boy, those two are something else. He doesn’t have a handle on them.”

“He doesn’t,” I admitted. “But this is one of those things we don’t gossip about. He’s actually struggling.”

“If you were really mad, you’d spread that everywhere.”

“I’m not cruel.”

Kerry raised an eyebrow. “You once threatened to stab a man in the eye with his straw.”

“That was different.”

“Yeah, it’s him.”

My shoulders tensed. I knew I’d be obvious.

“I’ll be nice,” she said. “I know this has to be hard, with him moving on and all.”

“I moved on too.”

“At least there’s not a wedding ring.”