Mary’s jaw drops.
“Wait.Is this about the classroom thing last week?I told you that was weird!Didn’t I say it was weird?Didn’t I say it was, like, creepy-level weird?”
“You did, and they did it again before I arrived today,” I mutter.
“Today?”Ego asks, all business, then takes his cell out of his pocket and starts texting someone.
“So, now you have a bodyguard?”She leans in like this is the best gossip she’s gotten all year.“Is he single?”
“Mary!”
She shrugs unapologetically.“What?I’m just saying.He’s tall.He’s hot.And he looks like he could bench press a small car.”
Theodore is still typing, but he smirks.Just a little.
And I know he can hear her despite the attempt to whisper.
I rub my temples.
“We’re going to be late for the event.”
Mary grins.“Girl, if I knew this was the kind of man showing up when danger strikes, I would’ve staged a fake break-in months ago.”
I give her a look.
She grins harder.
Then, dramatically, she turns and waves at him.“Nice to meet you, Mister Montego.I’m Mary.First grade.If you ever need crayons or snacks, I’m your girl.”
“Appreciate that,” he replies, deadpan but polite.
“I’ll meet you downstairs,” she stage-whispers to me, heading for the door with one last pointed look.“Try not to flirt too hard.”
The door clicks shut behind her.
And now it’s just me and the bodyguard again.
I exhale slowly.“Sorry about that.She’s a lot.”
“She’s protective,” he says, surprising me.
I blink.“You think so?”
He shrugs.“Only people who care that much can get away with teasing like that.”
I look at him, really look.
And I wonder what kind of teasing he’s used to.
I open my mouth to say something—anything—but I’m saved by the crackle of the PA system as Sister Veronica announces that the singles mixer will begin shortly in the church basement.
The look on Theodore Montego’s face is priceless.
“Please tell me that’s not where we’re going.”
I smirk.
“You’re my shadow now, aren’t you?”
