Foreman's smile widened. Amber looked so crestfallen when he asked for a tour--their minds couldn't have gone to the same moment in time, if she was reacting like he'd asked her to perform a chore instead of a prison break. The last thing he wanted was to be shown every inch of wallpaper. Besides, he'd save that for when he wanted to get in Kate's good graces. She'd be the one who'd be happiest to show him every smoothed nick and repainted accent wall. Although the idea of seeing childhood pictures did cross his mind. They had to be around somewhere. Still, not now. Foreman took Amber's hand and stepped close to her. "I was kidding," he said. "I'd much rather unpack." He left the interpretation of that up to her--from his tone of voice, he could hardly believe that she'd think he was interested in having his clothes neatly folded and put away.

It looked like Geoffrey and Chris were settling down in the living room; Foreman wondered if either of them cared about football. If they were watching the game tomorrow, then Foreman would have a much easier time connecting with them. As long as they were Bears fans.

Jude and Leila were just coming downstairs from putting Madeleine down. Somewhat sardonically, Foreman realized that he and Amber might be escaping, but they were also giving the family the perfect opportunity to talk about him and Amber behind their backs. Now would be the moment when his flaws were trotted out and dissected, and he wouldn't be there to defend himself or even to figure out exactly which of his faux pas had been the real dealbreakers. Still, the privacy was worth it. Foreman gestured for Amber to take the tour upstairs--and the faster, the better.