Page 116 of Meet Me at the Metro

I stiffen uncomfortably at Theo’s brash remark.

Kimberley narrows her eyes. “Well, no. If I’m being honest, I came to discuss those dinner plans we agreed to. I thought I might find you here.”

“I told you I’d reach back out to you about that. You didn’t need to track me down.”

“Well, I know you’ve been busy with your final year of school and work and that it’s hard to get a hold of you over the phone, so I knew it’d be easier for you if we discussed plans in person.”

Theo scoffs, and Kimberley lets out a heavy sigh. The tension in the room is as sharp as a knife, so I nudge Theo in a silent plea for him to lighten the mood a little—dull the knife.

Kim says, “Fall break is next week. I figured since school was out, we could try planning our dinner for some time then.”

I brush my fingers along the back of Theo’s hand as his jaw tenses, hoping that the next thing out of his mouth isn’t something snarky. When he looks over, I hope that he can read the request in my eyes.

Be nice.

“We could do next Friday.”

Kimberley cocks her head to the side. “We?”

Oh my God, he hasn’t even asked her if I could come yet.

“Nora and me. Is that a problem?”

I think I might actually strangle this man.

“Well, I thought it was a family affair.” Kim forces a pleasant look on her face as she looks me over. “But of course, I’m happy to make room for Nora if she’d like to come.”

Theo smiles insincerely. “Perfect.”

I force myself to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. My cheeks are burning hot with embarrassment, but I do my best to mirror Kim’s unbothered composure.

“Perfect. So, next Friday—6:30, at the house? How does that sound?”

“Sublime.”

Desperate to quell the uneasiness of their—our—entire exchange, I ask, “Is there anything I can bring to contribute to dinner, Mrs. Pearson?”

She gives me a terse smile that’s full of pity. “Your presence is contribution enough. And please, call me Kim.Mrs. Pearsonmakes me feel so old. I’ll see you both next Friday.”

“See you Friday,” I nod—for Theo and me.

Kimberley turns on her heel, and as soon as she disappears through the music room doors, I whirl back to face Theo with a scowl.

He laughs and sits back down against the piano bench.

“Don’t you dare laugh right now.”

“What?”

“What the actual hell was that?”

“I don’t know what you’re on about,” he snorts.

Actually fucking snorts.

“You couldn’t have made that even just alittlemore bearable?”

“Kim will be fine. Trust me. You don’t know her like I do. She only reaches back out when she wants something.”

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