Page 72 of When Annika Met Thom

* * *

It was official:Tessa had the worst timing in the world.

“Hey.” Thom said when he answered. Even though he was standing at the window, he was keenly aware that Annika could hear at least his side of the conversation. Even when she politely retreated into the bathroom, she’d still be able to hear through that thin door.

“Busy?” his sister asked brightly.

“Dinner.”

“For one or two?”

“You and Cerberus, or is there something I need to know?”

Thom knew he couldn’t hide the truth from his sister, not for long. “Leo’s fiancée is here.” He supposed that Annika wasn’t Leo’s fiancée anymore, but he didn’t know what else to call her. His hook-up didn’t sound quite right.

“Leo’s fiancée but not Leo?”

“That’s right.”

“Where’s he?”

“Gone.”

Tessa’s voice sharpened. “How can that be?”

“It just is.”

“Moved out?”

“Uh huh.”

“But she’s staying there, even though Leo’s moved out?”

“You’re right.”

“Since when did you become so generous?” Tessa demanded. “Why would you put up Leo’s fiancée? And why would she even be his fiancée if he’s broken it off?”

“Lots of questions,” Thom noted, not prepared to answer any of them. “Why did you call, anyway?”

Tessa ignored that. “Is she Leo’s fiancée or isn’t she?”

Thom frowned. “I guess not.”

“Do you not know or are you messing with me?”

“Door number two, Tessa.”

“She’s THERE!” his sister said, pouncing on that detail. “She can hear you!”

“Yes, indeed.”

Tessa chortled. “Next you’ll tell me she has freckles and that will explain everything about your attitude tonight.”

Thom cleared his throat. “Yes, Cerberus is fine.”

“Freckles? Freckles!” Tessa began to laugh.

“Um hmm. Eating really well. Bright eyes, cold nose and all that.”

---