The front door shut harder than necessary.

Simon tossed his keys onto the counter and dragged a hand down his face before stepping further into the house. The living room lamp was on, casting a warm glow over the couch where Claire sat with a tablet in her hands.

She didn’t look up right away.

“You’re late.”

Simon exhaled through his nose. “Hello to you too.”

Claire glanced at the clock on the wall, then finally at him.

“Two hours late.”

“Debrief ran long.”

“That’s convenient.”

He dropped his bag by the chair. “It’s not convenient. It’s the job.”

Claire set the tablet down slowly. “Your phone also part of the job?”

Simon’s jaw tightened slightly. “Didn’t have time.”

“You didn’t have ten seconds?”

“Claire.”

“What?” she said sharply. “God forbid someone expects basic communication.”

Simon let out a quiet, irritated laugh. “You know exactly how my days go.”

“And you know how texting works.”

He stared at her for a second before running a hand through his hair.

“Unbelievable.”

“What’s unbelievable,” Claire shot back, “is walking through the door like nothing happened.”

“I walked through the door because I just got home.”

“Yeah. Eventually.”

Simon took a few steps into the living room, stopping in front of the couch.

“You want me to apologize for doing my job?”

“I want you to act like this house exists when you’re not in it.”

For a moment neither of them spoke, the tension hanging thick between them.

Simon finally gave a short shake of his head.

“You’re picking a fight.”

Claire crossed her arms.

“No,” she said coolly. “You showed up with one.”