He frowned.

“That’s not what this was about.”

“Then what was it about?”

“Helping someone. We have space.”

“I have a rental property. If you want Vanessa to live there, how much of the $1,450 monthly rent are you paying?”

He immediately started listing his own expenses.

The wedding.

His apartment.

His car.

I listened.

Then I said, “You’ve just explained why you can’t afford the generosity you offered using my money.”

He stood and walked toward the back door.

“I thought once you heard everything, you’d understand.”

“You could have told me everything before you told her yes.”

“You would’ve gotten hung up on the money.”

That sentence stayed with me.

He knew money mattered.

He knew the rental income had a purpose.

He simply thought my concern could be managed after he got what he wanted.

“I’m meeting Ruth tomorrow,” I said.

“The applicant?”