Page 24 of You're the Reason

“Bad news?”

“She says she rented this place from the Kensingtons on Tuesday.” Hammond motioned to the wall behind Seth.

He turned and locked eyes with one very angry Grace Howell. That answered the question of who called the cops. Seemed to be her specialty. That also answered any questions as to what she’d thought about him since their run-in at the police station.

He knew her parents hated him, but trying to get him arrested for a second time in a week while making up stories was crossing the line.

She hadn’t spent her entire day last Wednesday cleaning this room and carrying out fifteen buckets of dirty water for some ape of a man to turn it into his personal sweat-producing factory. Grace couldn’t believe all the workout equipment that littered her dance space. With the weight of that bench, she’d be lucky if he hadn’t permanently damaged the Marley floor.

Officer Hammond stood by the door talking to Seth. Of course it would be him. Breaking and entering again. She pulled out her phone and sent off a text to Ms. Margret.

GRACE

Seth Warner is in my studio.

Ms. Margret’s reply was almost immediate.

MARGRET

He’s a fine boy. Invite him to dinner. Is he still handsome?

What? Handsome? Very. Invite him to dinner? No way.

GRACE

Why would I invite him to dinner?

MARGRET

My house is your house. Invite anyone you want. Especially fine-looking young men.

She ignored that last bit.

GRACE

He’s saying the studio is his.

MARGRET

Oh dear, that is a pickle. Maybe you two can talk about it over dinner while he is here. You can make something that will impress him. They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

GRACE

I’m not inviting him to dinner. I can’t even cook. And I don’t want a way into his heart. I just want him out of my studio.

MARGRET

Show them the message from Leah. Then invite him to dinner. I’ll cook.

She started to type back but stopped as officer Hammond walked toward her.

She did her best not to cringe as his shoes left wet spots with every step. Sure, the place had been covered in a thick layer of dust less than a week ago, but street shoes on the dance floor? But it wasn’t like she could ask him to take them off. He was helping her after all.

“He says Jon gave him the space for a gym on Saturday.” Hammond shrugged and ran his hand roughly through his hair. “Do you have a contract of your lease?”

“I have a text.” She pulled it up on her phone and passed it to the officer.

“This is a photo.”

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