“Yeah, ready,” I said, almost wincing at how breathless my voice sounded.
Smoothing out the wig, I put it on the back seat. Theo said he’d take care of returning it to Marigold. I got out of his truck and fell into step with him as we walked in the opposite direction from the gallery.
Theo was right, with him in a T-shirt and slacks, and me wearing a flannel over my dress, my natural hair once again on display, we looked completely different. I would have bet we could run into Tina and she’d have no idea we’d just been in the gallery, posing as a handsome billionaire and his wife.
Feeling a bit giddy at the success of our sleuthing, I walked next to Theo, only wishing a little bit that I could tuck my hand in the crook of his elbow again.
CHAPTER 19
Penelope
The bell rangand my students jammed through the door in their rush to get to lunch. I finished collecting their sketching projects off the tables, noting that several had neglected to write their names on their work. Again. I set those aside to be claimed next class and finished picking up my classroom.
After our sleuthing adventure over the weekend, real life had arrived bright and early Monday morning. There were classes to teach, assignments to grade, lesson plans to finalize, supplies to secure. As much as I would have loved to dedicate my time to being an amateur detective, I had a job to do.
Which meant we didn’t have any more information about the mysterious notes, or our suspicions about Michael and Amanda, by the time Friday rolled around.
I left the art room and shut the door. Students filled the wide hallway. Lockers clanged shut and conversations ebbed and flowed while I locked up for lunch.
When I turned, there was Theo, leaning against the doorframe outside his classroom, muscular arms crossed. His posture was relaxed but alert as his eyes scanned the hallway. He had such a way with our students, able to be both firmand supportive, friendly and tough when necessary. The kids respected him, and I think they also knew how much he cared.
It was a priceless combination in a teacher.
His gaze moved over the crowd of kids heading to lunch and stopped on me. One corner of his mouth lifted in a subtle grin, and he tipped his chin.
I nodded back. I’d see him in the teachers’ lounge.
It took a lot of emotional energy to pretend I wasn’t devastated over his impending move. I completely understood why he wanted the job, and I was genuinely happy for him. But I couldn’t help but be sad for me.
I was going to miss him so much.
It was hard to decide if living with him made it better, or worse. On the one hand, living together felt so effortless. Navigating around each other in the kitchen each morning. Sharing meal-prep lunches. Chatting about our days or theorizing about the Morris mystery over dinner.
The tugs of longing I felt as we said good night were the biggest downside. He’d pause in his bedroom doorway and look over his shoulder with a sleepy smile. I’d wish him good night, and he’d say the same. We’d close our doors, and every single time, I’d go to bed trying not to think about how much I wished he was with me.
Or what it would be like when I was shuffling down that hallway to my bedroom by myself, because Theo was on the other side of the country.
My plan was to make the best of it until he had to leave. Enjoy our brief time as roommates and be grateful he’d been such a good friend, especially when I’d needed him most.
Several of my coworkers were already in the lounge when I walked in. Sharon sat in an armchair with a book, and Derek, who taught PE, was at a table looking at something on his phone while he ate. Jeremy and Ashley sat at separate tables, and Iwondered if that was to avoid suspicion, or if something had gone wrong between them.
I got our lunches out of the fridge and sat at the open table. My phone buzzed in my purse, so I dug it out to check. My heart skipped—and not in a good way—when I saw who’d texted.
Sean:Hey, Penelope. Could you call me? It’s important.
Pressing my lips together, I narrowed my eyes at his message. I did need to make arrangements to move the rest of my things out of his house. With a deep breath, I typed a reply.
Me:Not right now, but I do need to arrange to move the rest of my things.
Sean:Okay. And I have something for you to sign to take you off the lease. Can you come over tonight?
It was Friday and there was a home game. There was no way I was missing that to go sign paperwork.
Me:I’m not free tonight.
Sean:I need it ASAP.
I could practically feel his irritation. But if I was going to meet him face-to-face, I was doing it on my terms. Not his.
