Page 113 of Forfeits

“It’s so strange to see someone else in your kitchen,” Annie said, gesturing to Aiden.

“Aiden offered to help. I haven’t made a fancy meal in a long time.”

“Smells good,” Brian said, taking his glass of wine to a spot on the couch.

“Aiden’s a supply teacher,” I said, hoping to get him into their good books.

“Oh really? Elementary or high school?” Annie asked him, directly.

“Elementary,” he replied.

“Oh. You must have to go through some kind of background check for that job, I suppose?”

I opened my mouth to protest when I felt Aiden’s calming hand on my elbow.

“Oh, yes, of course. I must have checked out okay,” Aiden said, laughing nervously.

“You’re a wonderful teacher,” I said.

Annie’s eyes widened. “Aiden’s not Lucy’s teacher, is he?”

“Annie,” Brian said. Apparently, this was the limit of his interference in his wife’s meddling.

I stared at her. “Aiden is working as a supply teacher while he waits for a permanent position. He did teach her class, for a few weeks. We met at the school.”

“Really,” Annie said, crossing her arms and dripping with disapproval.

“Annie,” Brian said, “would you please leave Fletcher alone.”

Everyone turned to stare at Brian, who normally didn’t say much.

“Pardon?”

“Annie, we’re guests here.”

Annie looked back and forth between Brian, me and Aiden.

“I didn’t mean to cause a problem,” she said, subdued.

Annie and I stared at each other for a long moment, neither of us sure how to proceed.

Then Aiden clapped his hands together.

“Anyone up for a game of Jenga?”

Chapter Eighteen

Impasse

“Why Jenga?” I asked. “I don’t even have Jenga.”

Annie and Brian had gone to sit on the living room sofa.

“Oh, I thought I’d seen the box in the living room…”

“That has LEGO in it,” I said.

“Because that makes sense,” Aiden smiled. “What have you got?”

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