"Oh, fiddlesticks! She's not going to be happy with me."
He chuckled. "She'll probably be relieved I already know."
He's right too. Not that I plan on telling him that. "Well, I'm heading downstairs while my babysitter drinks free coffee and does some work."
"That's not a good idea," Levi sent the words my way.
"You weren't supposed to be listening."
"You know your apartment is open plan, right?"
I turned my attention to Jessop and asked, "Do you have your supplies?"
"Yeah, I wanted to check in with you before heading back."
"Then let me make you some food and drinks to take with you." I smiled and gave him a quick hug as I passed.
Levi cleared his throat. "How am I going to keep you safe if you're out in public?"
"Look, I'll mostly stay in the back. I can't be shut up here. Besides, I can take care of myself."
"She's awesome with a pool stick."
I burst out laughing and smacked Jessop in the stomach. "That isn't funny." My cheeks burned.
"It's a little funny. At least, it is now.”
I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, seriously, Talla. You have to do what Levi tells you. Carlisle and Pen will be angry if anything happens to you. So will I."
* * *
"Do we need to talk?" Jessop said the moment he stepped into the house. He set down the supplies in the kitchen, took my hand, and led me to the bedroom. He looked serious, and I could tell this conversation was important. "Sit on the bed, Pen," he said.
I searched his face, trying to figure out what was going on with him. He was closed off, and that worried me as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Jessop searched my face, sighed, and removed his jacket. Then, he dropped to his knees and moved between my legs. His hands moved up my thighs and settled on my hips.
His eyes stayed down, and I just knew. "How?"
"Is it true?"
"I wanted to tell you," I said quietly, tears prickling my eyes. I reached out and cupped Jessop's face. "I didn't want you to hear it from someone else." I frowned. "The only other person who knows is Tallulah."
A guilty expression crossed his face. "She didn't tell me." He sighed. "I overheard her talking to Levi."
"Wait? What? She told him. She promised she wouldn't tell anyone." I blinked away my tears, or at least tried to. Jessop's eyes softened as he reached out to wipe away my tears. My heart ached as I realized that my relationship with Jessop had been built on misunderstandings. "I should have told you last night."
"We're good here, Pen. I promise." He paused and kissed me on the forehead. "Something weird is going on between Riley and Talla." Jessop frowned.
"Oh!" I muttered, remembering that they could communicate without speaking. I was still jealous about that. I mean, if anyone should be able to do that, it should be best friends. ”Ask Tallulah about it. Even though I'm not happy that she told Levi about me, I won't break a confidence." I briefly wondered if that was how Levi knew—he’d picked it out of her head.
Jessop winced. "Just remember she's your best friend."
"I know," I sighed. "I'm upset you didn't hear the words out of my mouth."
He got to his feet and pulled me up with him, pulling me into his arms. "Part of me is relieved you hadn't told me."
