“I’m fine.” I force a smile, pushing aside my thoughts for later. Right now, my focus is Theo.
“What did he want?” he asks.
“Same old routine,” Leon answers. “Checking to see if you made any mistakes.” He takes a sip of coffee, glancing at me. “And trying to cozy up to Minami.”
My stomach twists. I suddenly find the loose thread on my jacket sleeveveryinteresting.Please don’t ask more. Please don’t ask more.
Theo’s jaw tightens, his voice dropping. “Typical.” He runs a hand through his hair. “He never misses a chance to turn people into leverage. I can’t remember, but your father’s a diplomat, right?”
I laugh nervously. “Uh-huh,” I grunt, not technically confirming anything
“Well, I feel like we’ve hit our quota of family drama for one afternoon.” Leon pushes to his feet, tucking his tablet under his arm and effectively cutting through the mounting awkwardness. “We’ve got the presentation deck ready for you to review before the board meeting. Let us know if you want anything adjusted.”
“I’ll be relieved once it’s done and we’re back in Florida,” Theo says, rubbing his jaw. “Might finally get my father off my back for a few days.” He glances between us. “Fancy a pint after work?”
Leon’s eyes glint mischievously. “Tempting, but I’m doing the Jack the Ripper walking tour.”
“You didn’t do that when you lived here?” Theo asks.
“Nope,” Leon says with a shrug. “You know how it is.You never play tourist when you’re a local. It’s an unwritten rule.”
“True.” Theo nods.
My throat goes dry. “I’m free,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.
Theo’s lips twitch. “Brilliant,” he says, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I’ll meet you in the lobby at say... six?”
“Six o’clock, it is,” I echo.
Leon slides the tablet across the table. “Here’s the deck.” He winks at me before Theo can look up.“You can pay me back later,”he mouths—or at least I think that’s what he says.
I nod, hiding a smile, and turn my attention to Theo as he flips through the slides, already back in work mode.
Sixteen
At 5:59 p.m., I hover near the twisted-metal sculpture in the Excelsior Parks lobby, watching the elevators rise and fall as waves of employees spill out of the home office. Through the glass, the Thames glints like a slow conveyor belt, floating an assortment of boats past our windows.
As I wait, I pull out my phone and read a text from Rei.
Rei
We still meeting this weekend?
Kaori
That’s the plan.
Rei
*Grinning emoji* I can’t wait.
Then it’s Alice’sturn.
Alice
I hope you have a good excuse for blowing off dinner. Art made a Sunday roast, matcha ice cream, and a Dutch apple pie. You’re seriously missing out.
She attaches a photo of three delicious-looking dishes.
