Page 119 of With Us

“Theo can have a visitor today, but we’ve got to be on the road by seven.”

The dread that’d been squeezing my heart earlier released, leaving it feeling light. I started to plan, only to remember what Luc had said about the letter and Theo’s guarded words.

“Will he be able to tell me anything?” I asked.

He hesitated slightly before giving a quick shake of his head.

“Then no.” I must have surprised him because I was able to close the door, quietly sliding the lock in place. Not to keep him out, but rather to keep me in.

“If you go see him, I’ll give you a ride to your interview on Monday,” Luc bargained through the closed door.

Why am I not surprised he knows about that?

“Until someone tells me the truth, I’m not going.”

I heard his mumbles about stubborn women as he retreated down the hall.

Crawling back into bed, I tried to figure out what I was going to do for the day. I couldn’t hide out all weekend. At the very least, I needed to eat. And it wasn’t like Luc was going to snatch me up and force me into the car.

At least I didn’t think so.

I waited as the minutes tick by, each one bringing me closer to the seven o’clock deadline. With each passing one, I switched between being confident in my decision, doubting myself, and feeling like a petulant child.

As much as I wanted to get dressed and go, I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t see Theo, knowing he’d lied to me. I was sick of being kept in the dark.

But deep down, I was also worried I’d give in. That I’d allow his dimpled smile and charm to convince me what we had was more important than the truth.

So I pretended to ignore the clock. I pushed all the doubt to the back of my mind.

And when time ran out and it was too late for us to leave, I pretended I didn’t feel like I’d just made a major mistake.

???

Grrrrr.

Grrraaaaggllleeee grrrrr.

I jolted awake the next morning, shifting back toward the headboard to get away from whatever ferocious beast had broken in.

Grrrrrrrrrr.

Looking down, I found the source of the growling.

My stomach.

I’d given myself the previous day to fully immerse myself in my moping. I’d had Ben cancel my plans with Rachelle and the girls in favor of hiding out and watching TV. I’d tried to figure out what I was going to do, but had come up empty. I knew I could’ve put my foot down and demanded to be brought… somewhere. But I had nowhere to go. Even if I did, I knew I wouldn’t want to be there.

I wanted to be with Theo.

That didn’t mean I was backing down. I still needed to know the truth. But I’d pretty much accepted I’d be kept in the dark, no matter how much I stomped and screamed. That left sympathy or affability as my best option.

My stomach growled again, reminding me I hadn’t eaten much the day before. I showered and shaved, piling my wet hair on top of my head. I threw on a cute bikini, one with a ruffled top, and a terry cloth cover-up dress.

Grabbing a book, I jogged down the stairs and avoided more packages on my way into the kitchen.

Thefullkitchen.

Luc and Ben were sitting at the table, along with Lou and Tina’s husband, Gabe. I couldn’t remember the name of the other man who was leaning against the counter, but I knew I’d met him. There were a couple other men sitting at the kitchen island, but I didn’t recognize them.

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