Heather was a petite woman, but she’d been a force when she sold the house to Liam and me. She took the seat at the head of the table. “We weren’t aware that lawyers were going to be needed.” She adopted the same scowl as the other two. “You said Carol and Hank wanted this meeting.”

“Yes.” His smile was still there, but his eyes were dismissive. “They wanted this meeting, and we are representing them.”

“I don’t understand why we’re here. You were vague on the phone.” Heather folded her hands together, resting on the table. “What is it that you’re here to say?”

Mr. Alfred Mahler didn’t answer, not right away. He took his time before signaling his colleagues. The farthest one unclipped his briefcase and pulled out some papers. He handed them to the second lawyer, who handed them to Mr. Alfred Mahler. But no, that wasn’t right. Mr. Mahler cleared his throat and tapped the table. The papers were placed there and then slid over until they were right in front of him.

I glanced away to roll my eyes.

Heather said under her breath, “This is ridiculous.”

“What was that?” Mahler asked.

“Nothing.” Her voice grew clearer. “I’m assuming these papers are for Addison?”

“Yes.” He leaned forward, his finger still resting on the papers. “They’re for Ms. Sailer.”

Heather looked at me. “Do you mind?” She indicated the papers.

I shrugged.

She pulled them out from under the lawyer’s finger and began reading. The more she read, the deeper her frown became. By the third page, I was worried.

She looked over.

“What is it?”

“They’re suing you for the house.” She regarded him, her neck already red and the color spreading to her face. “You have no basis. She was his wife.”

“What?” I…what?!

“Yes, we assumed you would say that, but her name’s not on the title, and my clients feel their money was used to purchase the house.” Mr. Mahler stood up. The other two scrambled to stand with him. “This meeting was more a formality. We wanted to make sure you were served these papers, and next time we meet, bring legal representation.” He turned toward the door. They walked out, one after another.

“Why do I have the urge to throw an eraser at him?” I asked, glowering at Mahler’s retreating form.

“Because he’s a pompous ass.” Heather sighed. “Addison, oh my God. Whose money did you use to buy your home?”

Liam’s, but… I took the papers from her and began reading. The more I read, the more my stomach sank. The money had come from Liam, but it was my house. It had been our house together. Our home. It was my choice what happened to it now.

They couldn’t take the house away.

“I’m his wife, though. I thought that mattered.”

“It does. This is complete bullshit.” Heather lifted her hands in the air. “With lawyers and the courts…” Her hands dropped to the table. “Who knows what they can do. Liam didn’t put you on the title. He said he was going to add you later, but he never did. Do you know why he did that?”

“Fuck.” I had no idea. A headache was forming. I pressed on my temples, but knew it wasn’t going to go away. “He had a new job. He was busy. And I didn’t think about it. I mean, who would ever think about this? Liam had the money. He said he had enough saved up. We bought it outright. There’s no mortgage or anything. I didn’t even know about his money until the funeral, but I mean—” What should I do? “What can I do?”

Heather leaned close, a hard look in her eye. “You get a lawyer. You know any?”

“I…” I did. “My neighbor’s a lawyer.” I’d forgotten for a moment.

“Does he specialize in property law?”

That nice relieved feeling I’d just gotten vanished. I slumped back in my chair. “I have no idea.”

Jake welcomed me from the elevator that evening with a look of surprise. “Hey, Addison.” He still wore a business suit from work. A pot of coffee had started to sputter alive behind him. “Sia’s not here, if that’s who you’re looking for?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m looking for you. I might need legal help.”

His eyes lit up. “Well, in that case, you came to the right place. Come in.” He gestured to the living room. “Do you drink coffee—no. You don’t, but Sia does. That’s right. She told me you’re not a big coffee drinker.”

The elevator doors closed, and I waited on the couch as he got organized. He hung his suit coat on a nearby chair and sat down across from me.

“Okay. What do you have for me?”

I took out the papers. “I was given these a few hours ago.”

“Yeah?” He took them and leafed through.

I hated this. I hated that Liam’s family had put me in this position. I glanced around. This was my neighbor. I wasn’t supposed to be a client, not this way. I clasped my hands together.

This was the worst part. The waiting.

“Okay.” He finished reading and placed them on the table. “Um, well, first, how are you?”

“What?”

“How are you?”

“I’m…” I cocked my head to the side. “What do you mean?”

His eyes went to the floor, then came up as he cleared his throat. “Sia told me about you and Liam, how much you really loved him, and these are your in-laws doing this. So, I guess, how are you? I’m not asking as your lawyer, but as your neighbor and the guy in love with your best friend.”