“Then don’t.”
“If only it were that simple. I have to make an exception this once. I’m sorry.”
“What?” I balk. “You’re running to HR?”
“No, not yet, but you should.” She crosses her arms. “As far as I see it, you only have two other options. Break things off, or she finds other employment.”
Neither feels like the right choice. Evie is here because she needs the money, and I know she’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere that pays as well as we do.
“It’s just for the summer,” I say weakly. “The position was always seasonal for her. It’s not a big deal.”
She holds her hands up. “If you want to keep your secrets, that’s fine. I won’t be the one to spill them. But Theo… I was only here for a few days before I realized what was happening. You aren’t good at sneaking around. If you keep waiting, this won’t be in your control anymore.”
I swallow thickly.
“This is a scandal waiting to happen,” she presses. “Do something.”
EVIE
It shouldn’t be this quiet tonight. Christine is gone, enthusing about spending a night on the town, and I’m left with Theo. Usually, time alone would be a good thing, but he’s behaving strangely. He has been ever since Christine arrived.
His strange behavior makes sense, given that we’re supposed to be on pause… but this seems like the perfect opportunity to spend time together—without her or anyone else interrupting.
I enter his bedroom without permission, carrying one of the fruit tarts I made. “Look. Just like the one at the bakery.”
He smiles weakly, glancing up from his laptop. His glasses, the ones I only ever see him wear at night, slide down his nose. “You made that?”
“I did.” I sit at the edge of his bed. “Will you try it? I admit, I found the recipe online, and I think I’ll still have to tweak it a little, but it’s good.”
He picks up the pastry and takes a large bite. “Thisisgood. Do you think you’ll serve it at your future bakery?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“I think you should.” He finishes off the pastry and turns his attention back to his computer.
Even when he’s lounging in bed, Theo can’t seem to take a break. His expression is severe and scrutinizing, squinting at aspreadsheet I can’t begin to understand. It may be above my pay grade.
“It’s late.” I press a hand against his laptop, trying to shut it. “And we’re alone. Maybe you should relax… with me?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “Evie… I’m so behind on everything…”
It feels like he’s avoiding my gaze, but I can’t imagine why.
My lips tug into a frown. “No, you’re not. I know your schedule, silly. You’re right on track.”
He slowly sets the laptop aside. “I guess you’re right. Itisgetting late, so… I should probably get to bed.”
“Are…” I tilt my head to the side. “Are you kicking me out?”
“What? No.” He chuckles, but there’s a nervous edge to it. “I mean, Christine could be back any moment… we don’t want a repeat of what happened last time.”
Oh. He really is kicking me out. That’s perfectly within his rights, but I can’t wrap my head around it. Where did we go wrong?
“I thought you enjoyed yourself. I didn’t mean?—”
“No, it’s not like that. I didhave fun. There will always be a part of me that wants to do it again.” He runs his fingers through his thick curls.
“And I know I had fun. So, what’s the problem?”
