AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I won’t do it again.”
I should drop it, as I’d hoped she would, but this was so out of character for her that it nagged at me. “I’d rather not have this conversation in front of Wilder, but perhaps later we could readdress?”
“Certainly,” Wren said, looking up when her husband rejoined us.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Perfectly fine,” I responded.
When our eyes met and he smiled, my response felt more true.
“Hello, ladies, Wilder,” said Cayman, approaching our table with Ares trailing behind him.
“Hello, Nem.” The latter nodded at my two dining companions.
I wished I hadn’t looked up at Ares, especially when our eyes met. Was I imagining his contrition for speaking to me the way he had earlier? Or was I just hoping he regretted it?
“We’re heading to Shere this afternoon. There are a few things I’d like to put in place before determining who else will be there full-time and what that will look like,” he said.
“Good idea,” I commented.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Um…sure. Will you excuse me?” I said to my dining companions.
“I can order your usual if you’d like,” Wren offered.
“Please.” I followed Ares outside.
“Do you want to go to Shere with me?” he asked almost before the restaurant’s door closed behind us.
“Is it necessary?”
“No. Not necessary, but I don’t want to make any more unilateral decisions.”
I found it funny he used the same words I’d thought. “Decisions by committee are ill-advised.”
Ares gazed off into the distance. “What if it was just a committee of two? Well, three if we include Cayman.”
“It is his house,” I agreed.
“What do you say? Do you have time?”
“I’d like to finish breakfast.” When I smiled, Ares did too. “Then I’d like to have Puck brief Wren, and perhaps Wilder too, on what he’s learned about the container’s origin and have them assist with that part of the investigation. Otherwise, I’m free.”
“I’m checking out of my hotel today. So I’ll be staying there starting tonight.”
I nodded. Was he suggesting I do the same? He had a suitcase to pack. My transition would be more complicated. But did it have to be? Perhaps I could just grab a few things, for the time being.
“Sure. I could as well. Wait, you didn’t exactly ask, did you? Sorry.”
“It would be great if we…you didn’t have to return to London tonight.” He cleared his throat. “I mean, it’s up to you. Cayman and I were leaving shortly, but we don’t have to. Unless you’d rather drive down on your own.”
“Let me take care of a few things, then I’ll message you, and we can decide then. If you don’t want to delay, I know my way.”
“Good. Great. That’s good.”
“Or great. Depending on how you look at it.”
