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A picture follows.

Alibi sits beside the counter at Bramble & Bean, wearing the expression of a starving Victorian orphan.

I dropped him off with Gracie a couple of hours ago because Violet and I have a client meeting this afternoon. Apparently, he's already moved on emotionally. Even though he didn’t seem happy about it at first.

Me: He hasn't eaten in seventeen years. Please help him.

Three dots appear.

Gracie: I gave him bacon.

Of course she did.

Me: You're enabling him.

Gracie: Says the woman who lets him watch cartoons on an iPad.

Fair.

I set my phone down.

It buzzes again. This time my heart jumps before I can stop it.

Roman: Did you make it home safely?

I grin.

Violet groans. “Has to be him.”

“You don't know that.”

“You're smiling like an idiot.”

I ignore her.

Me: Yes. All is well.

Me: Miss me already?

The dots appear. Disappear. Then appear again.

Roman: No.

Liar.

Me: Sure seems like it.

Nothing.

Me: You had the key.

Still nothing.

Me: Don’t wanna talk about it?

His response comes immediately.

Roman: I’m working.