Kaori
You’re not going.
I palm my forehead, a laugh bubbling up despite the fact that I can hear Derrick’s loud voice echoing from the elevator bank down the hall.
Theo
You’re disinviting me? Why? You’ve been not-so-subtly hinting I should come for the past week.
I bite my lip. He isn’t wrong. But the reality of him actually showing up is a different thing entirely. The truth is, I’m turning into a total chicken. I do want him there. But I need time to mentally prepare for it. At least tonight I have a legitimate excuse to hide behind to buy more time. I do genuinely want him to rest.
Kaori
That was before you spent eight hours trapped on a plane. You’ll be a zombie by the time the first round starts. Go get some rest—especially since I’m assuming our site visit to Medusa’s Fury is still on for tomorrow.
Theo
I will, but you don’t have to worry about my jet lag. We won’t be meeting until four.
“Let’s get going, kiddo.” Leon sticks his head into my cubicle to motion me toward the lobby.
“I’m coming,” I say.
Kaori
Thanks. Appreciate it.
Theo
Are you positive you don’t want me to help defend the trivia crown?
Kaori
Yes. You won’t be helpful if you’re so tired you can’t think straight.
Theo
I can still be helpful if I’m tired. But in this case, I do have stuff to do before tomorrow.
Kaori
Like sleeping?
Theo
No comment.
I leave my desk and stand by the elevator. Theo continues to type.
Theo
I’ll meet you in the Excelsior car park just like last time.
Kaori
Okay. I’ll see you then.
True to his word,despite having been on a different continent just twenty-four hours earlier, Theo is waiting for me at four o’clock sharp, dressed in a white button-up shirt, cream linen suit, and loafers.
