And then I get it.
Why she is so upset with me.
I soften my voice. "Lola, I'm really sorry."
"For what?"
"For not telling you earlier about the threat. I should have. I just..."
"It's fine. And thank you. Also, thanks for the coffee." She gestures to the computer. "Can I get back to work, please?"
"Sure. I will see about lunch."
"Breakfast is just done, Enzo."
I nod, scanning the desk.
Her bag is on a chair, not near her, and in it is the corner of her phone peeking out.
"Just remember to stay off your phone," I say lamely.
"One doesn't forget threats and warnings," she says.
With that, I just leave the room and get to work.
Thing is, as the hours pass, I can hear her and Lyndall laughing and chatting in the living room. When I go in, she leaves, and Lyndall looks at me like I just massacred an entire room of puppies and kittens.
"What?" I ask.
"What?" she mimics. Then she jumps up, hands on hips. "Maybe you should be nicer to Lola, and you will have a great girlfriend."
"I'm not looking for a girlfriend."
"Because she's too good for you."
"No," I say dangerously. "Because I don't want one. This is a protection mission, not a girl-getting mission."
She rolls her eyes and stomps out, following Lola.
I go back to work, but every time I cross paths with Lola, she is cool and distant and finds something else to do.
She doesn't want any more coffee when I offer it. She doesn't want a snack. And it is too early for lunch.
But when Lyndall breezes in and makes PB and J sandwiches, I can hear fucking Lola's response to an apparently offered sandwich.
"Thanks, you're a sweetheart, Lyndall. I'm starving."
"Fuck." I dip my head to scour more of the internet.
Even my sister doesn't offer me one. Not that I want one, but it is the principle.
But if Lola is still mad at me for not telling her about the threat sooner, then there is one thing I can do.
Give her space.
She clearly needs to cool off.
And it will give me a chance to focus. If I can uncover one of the men's identities, it will help.
