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“Yes, she’s right, Theo. Put on a t-shirt. Nobody wants to see you shirtless.”
Actually, I knew for a fact there were many, many people—men and women alike—who wanted to see Theodore shirtless, but I wasn’t in the mood to argue that fact.
He’d only misconstrue my words as meaning I wanted to see him shirtless and, quite frankly, it didn’t matter whether I wanted to or not.
I was going to, because he was going to wander about without his shirt as he pleased until I told him otherwise.
“I’m putting it on. Jesus.” Theodore pulled a black t-shirt over his head and tugged it down over his stomach. “Are you both happy now?”
“What’s there to be happy about?” I asked, reaching for my tea. “You’ll only come downstairs half-naked again tomorrow.”
“Boy, are you in for a shock when I show up fully clothed tomorrow.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Charles looked between us. “I see you two are getting along.”
“We’re both still alive,” I replied, sipping my tea and grabbing my mouse. “So, I suppose you could say we’re getting along.”
“I thought he might have charmed you by now, Chloe.”
“One must be charming in order to charm someone, Your Grace.”
“Ouch,” Theodore muttered, handing his grandfather a mug of hot tea. “Once again, living with you is nothing but a series of humbling for me.”
“Good,” Charles said, sitting opposite me at the table. “You need a good humbling, you bugger.”
Theodore leant forwards on the counter and looked over at us. “Gramps, why are you here?”
“I’m here to check on the renovations at the house,” Charles explained. “Seeing the pair of you is a bonus.”
“So, you’re here to check up on me.”
“What an unfair assumption.”
“But not incorrect, clearly.”
“It’s almost as if you think I don’t have any faith in you, Theo.”
Theodore sighed. “I know you do, but we’ve only been here ten days. You showing up here could be taken as you not having faith in me to pull it off.”
I paused, glancing at him. He had a point—the board were looking for any excuse to get rid of him, and this project was the one we were all using to shut them up. Charles being here so soon after we left wouldn’t look good if anyone got wind of it.
“He does have a point,” I said, peering across the table at Charles. “Does anyone know you’re here?”
“Only Alastair and Cassidy,” Charles replied. “Rest assured, nobody has any idea I’m here, and I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”
Theodore rubbed his hand through his hair. “Fine, but if anyone finds out, I expect you to deal with it.”
“Of course.” Charles sipped his tea. “Now, will the both of you have dinner with me tonight?”
“I’d be happy to.” Theodore looked at me. “Chloe?”
I shook my head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll let you both catch up. It’ll be nice to spend some time alone, too.”
“Are you sure?” Charles asked, looking at me with a hint of sadness in his eyes. “You never have dinner with me anymore.”
“I’m no longer paid to do so.” I grinned.
