“Or not,” I countered. “That was definitely a one-time thing.” I knocked on the wooden seat of the bench, in case the universe was getting any cruel ideas.
The door opened for the second time in two minutes, and Theo sailed out into the courtyard. Livy jumped down from the edge of the fountain and ran to greet her. They spoke for a moment, and then Livy bounced off to practice cartwheels on the grass while Theo came over to join us by the bench.
“I’ve been wanting to talk to you,” I said, pinning her with my most disapproving glare. “I checked my bank account this morning and—funny thing—Hoffman transferred back the exact amount he stole from me.”
“Our plan worked?” Jemma exclaimed with triumph. “I can’t believe it!”
“I’m not sure Idobelieve it.” I kept my narrowed eyes fixed on Theo. “Please tell me you didn’t hack into his account after I asked you not to.”
“I promise I didn’t hack his bank account,” Theo said, unfazed by my glare. “And I didn’t transfer the money. He did that himself.”
“Why would he do that?” Wyatt asked before I had the chance. “I mean, it’s great that he did, but he didn’t strike me as the type to have an attack of conscience.”
Theo tried for a casual shrug. “Maybe you misjudged him?”
“Theodosia Harris,” I said in my best mom voice. “What did you do?”
She glanced aside, then huffed and rolled her eyes. “Fine. I hacked into his phone and had a look around.”
I put my hands to my face. “We agreed—”
“That I wouldn’t hack into his bank account. And I didn’t. But I did find out that he’d been chatting with several women on dating apps. I sent him an anonymous message, letting him know that screenshots of those chats would be sent to Tiffany if he didn’t return your money within forty-eight hours.”
“Nice one,” Jemma said, impressed.
I groaned. “Theo, blackmail is also against the law.”
“He’s not going to turn us in for that,” she said without any doubt. “It’s way more important to him to keep Tiffany financing his life.”
She was probably right about that.
“So, the money is really mine again?” I hadn’t yet allowed myself to believe that.
Jemma put an arm around my shoulders. “It was always yours.”
“And I think you’ve seen the last of Hoffman,” Theo added.
“And if not,” Wyatt said, “we’ve all got your back.”
I smiled as relief, gratitude, and affection all bloomed in my chest, bringing tears to my eyes.
“Anyway,” Theo said, taking charge of the conversation, “change your passwords, if you haven’t already. Just in case. And I hope you’re ready for your next job.”
I blinked away my tears. “You mean at the clothing store?” I asked with confusion.
My interview had taken place the day before, and I’d just found out an hour ago that I’d landed the job. It was only part-time at minimum wage and would barely cover my rent, but it was a step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign that my fortunes were changing for the better.
“For Wyatt Investigations,” Theo explained.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve already mentioned that the agency doesn’t actually exist,” I said.
“Then why do you have a paying client?” Theo asked.
“Paying…” I echoed faintly.
“Client?” Jemma finished for me.
“Since when?” Wyatt asked, sounding a little too interested, if you asked me.
