Chapter 16
Penelope
Theo wasn’t awake when I got up the next morning. He’d been at his parents’ late, and I’d gone to bed before he’d come home. I made some tea and fidgeted for a while, impatient for him to get up.
Sean had texted again. Only once, and it wasn’t as blatantly angry as his first string of messages. But it was easy to see he was mad. Or at least annoyed.
Will you just text me back?
I didn’t. And I wasn’t going to. Not yet, at least. And once I got the rest of my stuff out of his house, I was absolutely blocking his number.
Deciding to shower and get dressed for the day, I glanced at Theo’s closed door as I headed for the bathroom, momentarily wondering if he had a migraine. I hoped not. It was still early. He was probably just sleeping in.
After showering, I went to my room to get dressed. I still had the hoodie Theo had let me wear after the proposal debacle. I’d meant to give it back to him. It wasn’t like I needed it. I had a THS hoodie of my own.
But for some reason, I liked his better.
He hadn’t asked for it back, so I slipped it on, pairing it with leggings and thick socks. I left my hair wet—I’d been blessed with hair that could air-dry without getting frizzy—and went out to see if Theo was up.
I found him in the kitchen, dressed in a T-shirt and pajama pants. He had his back to me as he poured a cup of coffee.
“Morning,” I said.
He turned with a sleepy grin and my heart fluttered. His hair was a little messy, and why was the way he smiled at me like that so…?
I didn’t want to say sexy. We were friends, and I’d just gotten out of a relationship. It was not the time to get swept up in his sex appeal. Not that there’d ever be a time to get swept up in Theo’s sex appeal.
He and I weren’t like that.
But a messy-haired Theo Haven standing in the kitchen in pajama pants, dimpled smile on display? It made my insides swirl in a way that was both tantalizing and uncomfortable.
“Morning,” he replied.
His rough morning voice did not help.
“How was your visit with your parents?” I asked.
“It was good. How’s your grandma?”
“She’s doing well. Maury glitter bombed her.”
He chuckled. “Classic. Were you there when it happened?”
“Sure was. It got all over. Not so much on me, but I have a feeling she’ll be finding little sparkly bits for weeks.”
He headed for the living room and I followed. Both of us took a seat on the couch, one in each corner.
“How’s she going to get him back?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I’m sure she has something up her sleeve.” I tucked my legs beneath me. “I know this is going to seem like an abrupt subject change, and maybe you’d rather have more of your coffee to wake up first, but I’ve been dying to talk to you.”
“Yeah? Me too. But you go first.”
I adjusted my glasses. “Okay. Last night, I was picking up some takeout for dinner, and you’ll never guess who was at the restaurant.”
“Who?”
“Michael Morris.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Totally serious. I almost couldn’t believe it. He was sitting at a table with another man. I went to the table behind them so I could hear what they were saying.”
“Nice move.”
That made me smile. “Thanks. The other guy was his attorney, and it sounded like they’re also friends. Or were friends at some point. Michael clearly has issues, so I’m sure it’s hard to be friends with someone like that.”
“For sure.”
“Sorry, I’m making this too long.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “You’re fine. Keep going.”
“Okay, they were talking about Edwin, and Michael was upset. Apparently, he’d been expecting to get money from his father, but something had changed. Whatever it was, his mom had also signed it, so he was angry at her, too. He was so callous when he talked about her, it was awful.”
Theo shook his head with a scowl.
“But that’s not the part I’ve been dying to tell you,” I continued.
“The attorney told him to be careful. That he needs to stop rampaging around town, talking about how his dad screwed him over. That it’s not a good look, especially if people start asking questions.
And then he said he can’t protect Michael from everything. ”
His eyes widened. “That’s interesting.”
“I know, isn’t it?” I leaned closer. “Do you want to know what I think?”
He shifted toward me. “What?”
Although we were alone, I lowered my voice. “I think Michael and his attorney know, or at least suspect, that Edwin Morris was murdered.”
“I bet they do.”
“But the question is, how do they know? Is it because Michael had something to do with it? Or did the attorney just mean that Michael would be a suspect if the truth comes out about his father’s death?”
“Good questions. That dude is definitely suspicious.” He took another sip of his coffee. “You won’t believe who I ran into.”
“Who?”
“Amanda.”
I gasped. “No.”
He nodded. “I’d wonder how that’s possible, but this is Tilikum. Anyway, she was at the Steaming Mug having coffee with a friend. I didn’t hear much of their conversation, but it was enough.”
“What were they talking about?”
“Dating. The friend said something about the last guy Amanda was with and how she couldn’t have thought he’d leave his wife for her.”
I gasped again. “What! No way!”
“Yep. They didn’t mention any names, but Amanda snapped at her and told her she didn’t want to talk about him.”
“Wow. Oh my gosh, that’s huge.”
“I know it doesn’t prove anything, but it’s suspicious, right?” he asked.
“So suspicious. Maybe the gossipy ladies were right, and Morris was having an affair with her.”
“Seems likely.” He shook his head again. “What a dick.”
“Such a dick.”
I had to be imagining it, but for a second, it seemed like a flash of heat crossed Theo’s face. His blue eyes smoldered as his gaze flicked to my mouth, and when he licked his lips, a tingle ran down my spine.
He shifted, glancing away as he took a sip of his coffee. And just like that, it was gone.
Definitely my imagination.
But the tingly spine and pulse of heat deep inside made me feel like I needed to get up. Put some distance between us and reset.
Tea. I’d make more tea.
I kept talking as I stood and walked to the kitchen. “I’m glad we got this intel. I wish I knew what it meant, but at least it’s a place to start.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.” Theo followed me in and poured more coffee while I started the teakettle.
“I almost didn’t go over to the empty table in that restaurant,” I said. “I was so nervous. I don’t know why. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“You did good, Ball Point Pen.”
He reached out and we bumped fists. His compliment filled me with warmth. And more tingles.
What was wrong with me? It was just Theo.
But maybe there was no such thing as just Theo Haven.
Turning toward the cupboard to get a mug, I hoped my cheeks weren’t flushing. How embarrassing. I reached for a mug, but paused. The one I’d been expecting—it had a cute little cat curled up on a pillow—wasn’t there. I hadn’t brought it over from Sean’s house yet.
Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.
“You okay?” Theo asked.
“Oh. Yes.” Blinking away the tears, I took out a different mug and set it on the counter. “I just thought I had one of my other mugs here. It must still be at Sean’s house. It’s totally not a big deal.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” I pushed my glasses up my nose. “It’s just a mug.”
He hesitated. “Except, maybe it’s not the mug? Maybe you’re stressed because there’s still a lot of stuff over there that you have to deal with at some point. The mug just reminded you.”
Biting the inside of my lip so I didn’t tear up again, I nodded.
Because he was absolutely right.
Without another word, he set his coffee on the counter, stepped in, and wrapped his arms around me.
I inhaled, and his masculine scent filled me. His arms were thick and strong, his body warm and steady against mine. For a second, I thought he’d immediately let go, but he didn’t. He held me tighter, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
Relaxing against him, I wound my arms around his waist and closed my eyes. The tension melted from my body. He felt so good, I didn’t want it to end. Couldn’t we just stand there in his kitchen, hugging for the rest of the day?
Or at least for another minute?
Eventually, he let go and stepped back. I dropped my arms and fixed my glasses, once again hoping my cheeks weren’t bright red.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice soft. “You let me know when you’re ready and we’ll get your stuff out of there.”
“Thank you.” My voice was embarrassingly breathy. I swallowed, trying to pull myself together. But that hug had scrambled my brain. “I know I should probably—”
“Hey.” He put a finger to my lips, and his voice was still gentle. “Don’t should yourself. It’s okay if this is hard. It doesn’t make you weak.”
I gazed at him in disbelief. He meant that. He didn’t think I was weak—not for staying with Sean when I should have left, or for waiting to confront him again.
He was such a good friend. What would I have done without him?
“Besides, it’s only stuff.” He paused, concern passing over his features. “You don’t think he’ll get rid of it before you can move everything out, do you?”
I considered that for a moment. “I guess I can’t put anything past him.”
“Like I said, let me know when you’re ready. I’ve got you.”
Smiling, I resisted the temptation to hug him again. It would have been nice, but I had a feeling I needed to keep some distance. My feelings were getting stirred up in ways that were very inconvenient.
“There’s actually something else I need to talk to you about,” Theo said.
His voice had changed. He sounded hesitant. Maybe even a bit nervous.
That was odd. Theo never seemed to get nervous about anything. Oh, no. Was he about to tell me I had to find a different place to live?
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I’ve been offered a job as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Carolina. It’s obviously a big move, but it’s a great opportunity. And I decided to accept.”
It felt as if the floor opened and swallowed me whole. I stared at him in disbelief. He was leaving? Moving away? Across the country?
My lips parted, but I couldn’t seem to get a word out. I needed to say something. Congratulate him and tell him I was happy for him. That it really was an amazing opportunity.
His expression shifted from hopeful to bleak.
This was bad. So bad. I was failing. Big fat F on this test of friendship. I sucked in a lungful of air and finally regained the use of language.
“Oh my goodness! That’s incredible. Theo, I’m so happy for you.”
His look of worry transformed into a big, dimpled smile. “Thanks, Pen. I’m really excited about it.”
Friend crisis averted.
“Wow, offensive coordinator. And that’s a big university.”
“It is. They have a solid program, too. It’s going to be great.”
“So great. You’ll be amazing at it. You’re such a gifted coach. When do you go?”
“Next summer. So I’ll be able to finish out the school year here. And don’t worry about the house. I thought about keeping it as a rental anyway, so if you like living here, you can stay.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” I gave him my best everything-is-great smile. “What have you done to celebrate?”
He shrugged. “Took my mom to coffee. Had dinner with my family. We had champagne, although that was because my brother Luke got engaged.”
“Lots of big news in your family.”
“Yeah. Now that I think about it, I’m kind of surprised no one announced another baby on the way.”
I laughed a little, but the words engaged and baby bounced around in my head. Or maybe it was my heart.
They both hurt.
Because I was not engaged. And although I would have loved it, I was definitely not expecting a baby. I wanted a husband and a family, and I wasn’t exactly getting any younger.
Realizing my smile had faded and I probably looked stricken, I turned away before Theo could see. My lackluster life was not his problem.
“You know what this means, though?” he asked.
Smoothing my expression, I looked at him and schooled my voice to sound cheerful. “What?”
“We have to figure out what happened to Morris before I leave.”
“Oh no, a ticking clock,” I said, my tone mock serious. “That ups the stakes.”
He nodded. “It does. Although I guess if we haven’t figured out what happened to him by next summer, maybe the answer is nothing.”
“True. We don’t have proof he was murdered.”
“No. But doesn’t your gut tell you he was? Because mine really does.”
“Mine does, too. I feel like we at least need to look into it.”
“Agreed.” He held out his fist and I bumped it with mine. He gestured over his shoulder with his thumb. “I should hit the shower. What are you up to today?”
I glanced around the kitchen, as if I’d find the answer sitting on the counter. “Not much. I’ll probably make lunches for the week.”
“Meal prep for the win.” He grinned. “And you know you don’t have to make mine.”
“I know, but it’s easy to double whatever I’m making.”
“Awesome. Thanks, Pen.”
He turned to go, and I tried to focus on what I’d make for that week’s lunches. But all I could think about was a time when I’d be eating lunch alone. No Theo. No little pranks on coworkers. No chin tips, shared office gossip, or fist bumps.
With a sinking feeling, I faced the fact that Theo was not just my only friend at work, but the only real friend I had. Everyone else I used to see socially were Sean’s friends. And to be honest, I was happy to let him keep them.
But Theo was all I had. And I was losing him.
I was not going to cry. I breathed it all in, shoving it down as deep as I could, and stuffed all those awful feelings in the empty place Theo was leaving behind.
As I was pulling myself back together, he reappeared in the kitchen doorway. “Thank you.”
His voice was so sincere, it almost ripped me wide open. “For what?”
“Being happy for me. You’re my best friend. I hope you know that. And if you were the one leaving, I’d be pretty bummed about it. School wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Trying desperately to hold in the wave of emotion threatening to overtake me, I blinked and glanced away. “Yeah, it’ll be an adjustment. But this is what happens. People find new opportunities and move on. I’m happy for you.”
His eyes searched my face, as if looking for evidence that I wasn’t being honest. I smiled, hoping he thought it was real. Because if he said anything else—or worse, hugged me again—I’d be a puddle of tears in an instant.
Thankfully, he didn’t. He pressed his lips together in a subtle smile, tipped his chin, and disappeared down the hall to take a shower.
With another deep breath, I crossed my arms, hoping it would be enough to hold the pieces of myself together.