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“Plotting my demise?”
Penny narrows her eyes. “And that’s why I think you should spend Thanksgiving with me.”
“I might come visit you one day, but I’m staying here and taking advantage of the quiet campus.”
“I don’t like it.” Penny presses her lips together. “What if the same thing happens?”
Yesterday, as we cleaned, I’d filled Penny in on what happened. With as many details as I felt comfortable with sharing considering Syn’s NDA. But she got the gist of it.
“I will be fine.” The staff starts closing down the serving area, and I reach for Penny’s mug, checking that it’s empty before I drop my balled-up muffin wrappers in it. “And on that note, I’m going to get all those glasses cleaned. Spend Thanksgiving with Jake and Nicole and enjoy yourself. I’ll call if there’s a problem.”
Penny gives me a hug before I head into the kitchen. As part of the compromise with Doris, I’d said I’d take care of the breakfast dishes, too. Being back in the kitchen feels strangely familiar, and I quickly fall into a rhythm as I scrape plates, then load and unload the dishwasher.
By the time I’ve finished, the kitchen staff are already getting set up for lunch. I don’t have long before I’m expected to be here, waiting for Syn, so I don’t bother to head back to the house. Instead, I reset their table and then take my position.
Lunchtime is even quieter than breakfast had been. Once again, neither Syn, Royal, nor Gemini came to eat. After getting my own lunch, I head back to the house. Normally, I’d be rushing to change into my uniform to get to my class, but since everything is cancelled this week, there’s no rush. There’s also nothing to change into.
Syn has strict rules with what I’m allowed to wear, and as I’m only supposed to wear this outfit when I’m serving him or cleaning, I don’t want to keep the clothes on. But when he confiscated my suitcase the day I moved in, limiting my wardrobe, the only other clothes I have now are the ones I borrowed from Payne, or my nightdress.
Still wearing the maid outfit, I head up, searching the first floor for Syn before realizing he’s probably in his room. The whole house is eerily quiet until I start knocking on Syn’s door.
Only the door that opens isn’t his, it’s Royal’s.
“What are you doing?” he asks, leaning against the doorframe.
“Looking for Syn.”
His gaze sweeps up and down my appearance. “Have you just finished cleaning the church?”
“I’ve been in the dining hall.”
Royal’s gray eyes widen. “He didn’t tell you? He’s gone home for Thanksgiving.”
Folding my arms, I cock my head. “Of course he has.”
Royal glances at Syn’s bedroom door before looking back at me. “I guess he wouldn’t. Look, Thanksgiving is a big thing for the Keyinghams. Wining, dining, and a whole lot of schmoozing. The political campaigning started years ago. All the important people will be there. We spend the first few days hunting, and then everything we’ve shot is served on Thanksgiving.”
We? Royal goes with him?
His family is important enough, but even if that wasn’t the case, I suppose they are best friends. Which means Gemini should be there too?
“If it’s so much fun, why aren’t you there?”
“Figured you wouldn’t be heading home. Didn’t want you to be left alone.” He winks at me, like he genuinely thinks he’s doing me a favor.
I have to fight the urge to walk over and slap him. Being alone in this house was exactly what I wanted. Instead, I unfold my arms, moving my hands behind my back so he can’t see my fists, and give him what I hope is a shy smile. “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want you to miss out.”
Royal walks over and then slides his hand behind my neck seconds before he claims my mouth with his.
As his tongue seeks entry, I relax into him, grabbing his hips as I part my lips for him. He thinks he’s helping me, and I don’t want him to think that I don’t appreciate it—even if that is the case. Keeping him on my side is necessary. And it means I might be able to spend enough time with him to work out his passwords.
When he pulls away, he grins. “There’s nothing I’m missing out on.”
“I’m glad you stayed.”
“What did you want Syn for?”
I step back and hold up my skirt. “He didn’t leave me with anything else to wear.”
