“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I said to Theo and Wyatt as I sagged against the door. “You really saved my bacon.” I met Wyatt’s gaze. “Again.”
One corner of his mouth crooked up. “Your mother seems like a force of nature.”
And I’m a natural disaster,I thought.At least in her eyes.
Out loud, I said, “With a habit of pelting me with hail.”
“You just need to know what you’re doing when dealing with parents like that,” Theo said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “Then it’s not much of a problem.”
“Clearly, Idon’tknow what I’m doing.”
Theo shrugged. “My life coaching costs extra. And right now we’ve got a murder to solve.”
“Wait. We’re paying you?” I said, confused. “We’re not making any money here.”
“Not yet.” She headed for the door. “My grandma was taking a lemon cake out of the oven when I left the apartment. We need fuel, so I’ll go grab us some slices while you get the murder board set up.”
She zipped out into the hallway without waiting for either of us to agree to her plan.
As I shut the door behind her, my phone chimed, so I picked it up and read the new text message. It was from my mom.
We still need to discuss Olivia’s new living arrangements.
My stomach twisted into knots.
“I really can’t do this,” I said. “Not today.”
“What’s wrong?” Wyatt asked with concern. “Did you get some bad news?”
“Not news, just…more family drama.” I set aside my phone. “With that and the police interrogation, I need some time to myself.”
“That’s okay,” he assured me. “I’ll text Theo and tell her we’re leaving our meeting for another time.”
“Maybe tomorrow.” Leaving it any later would probably put me on Theo’s bad side, which was a slightly terrifying thought.
“Is there anything else I can do to help?” he asked.
I tried to muster a smile as I shook my head. “I’ll be okay.” An ache of gratitude cut through my chest. “But thank you.”
He nodded, his gaze searching my face, as if he were trying to make sure that I really was okay. His eyes were so full of compassion that my throat constricted and my eyes burned, but I was determined not to cry.
“I’ll walk you out,” I said quickly, darting around him to get tothe door. I needed to get out from under his direct scrutiny, to give myself a moment to fight off the threat of tears.
Out in the hall, I led the way to the stairwell. Sharing an elevator with Wyatt struck me as a very bad idea, especially given my current state of emotional fragility and vulnerability. I took the stairs at a jog, and Wyatt followed without a word. Once in the lobby, we slowed our pace.
I took in the sight of the rainy afternoon through the front door. The dreariness of the day matched my mood.
Wyatt opened the door but then paused, his gaze meeting mine. “I’ll see you soon, Emersyn.”
I wasn’t convinced that it was a good idea for me to see him again, especially after that kiss we’d shared. But even though the prudent part of my brain—which seemed to be a very small part—told me I should cut all ties with him, that didn’t quell my curiosity.
Even if I did wisely decide not to see him again, there was something I wanted to know.
“Hey, Wyatt?”
He paused, halfway out the door.
“You still haven’t told me your last name,” I said.
