Page 98 of With Us

I gave a little laugh as I closed the app, rolling my eyes. When I saw the time, I pushed back into overdrive, but the senator’s words still poked at me.

Rachel, the weekend opener, ended up coming in a little after nine. After giving her time to put her bag in the back, I texted Theo and hopped back behind the counter to help her out as I waited.

“Oh, check him out,” she said with a low whistle.

Turning around, I was already starting to smile before I saw it wasn’t Theo.

Whereishe?

“Hey Ben,” I greeted, trying to hide my disappointment.

I must not have done a good job of it, though, because he gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Dahlia, he got pulled into something and couldn’t break away. I have strict orders to take you to the bookstore, the grocery store to get the cake ingredients, and then you’re supposed to lounge by the pool the whole day working your way through the books and a pitcher of drinks.”

There was a lot of swooning and chatter from the women within earshot of us. To them it probably sounded like a day in paradise.

But I missed Theo.

However, I also understood things happened, especially when it came to work.

Giving Ben a more genuine smile, I said, “Let me just grab my bag.”

Once we were in the car, I studied him carefully. “Where’s Theo?”

“Amaric.” There was no hesitation in his answer.

“In his office?”

Ben shook his head. “He has conference rooms on the floor above. He’s using one of those.” Stopping at a red light, he turned his own inspecting gaze to me. “Why do you ask?”

“Senator Larson came to see me.”

His whole demeanor changed, and I was reminded why he was head of security. A stern expression replaced his usually easygoing one. “When? What happened? What exactly did he say?”

“This morning before we opened.” I held my hands up. “I left the door unlocked, which I know was stupid. He just talked about not being able to get a meeting with Theo.”

“And?”

“And he also insinuated some things. I think.”

“What did he say?”

“About how hard it is to get ahold of Theo. And how helpful Rosa is… I think he was implying they’re sleeping together.”

“You know they’re not, right?”

I could’ve laughed. Rosa and Luc were like family to Theo. “Duh.”

“Making sure. What else did he say?”

“That was basically it. I told him to get out, and he did. It was creepy, but mostly becausehe’screepy.”

Ben nodded, pressing the call button on the steering wheel.

“Wait,” I said before he could connect to Theo. “If Theo is busy, I don’t want to bother him right now. Can you just tell him later? Or I will?”

Ben hesitated for a moment before pressing the button again to cancel the command. “I’ll have to tell him this afternoon.”

“Deal.”

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