Page 64 of Truth or Spare

But secretly, Theo couldn’t wait to share the recipe with Cassie and bring more of his favorite memories and foods from his childhood to Oslo. He had finally found a place where hecould fit in and be needed again and Theo was looking forward to making Oslo his home.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

So long to Dewey’s peaceful Monday mornings at the bowling alley.

He was more than happy to put them behind him, though, as Bryce and Chase tumbled through the front doors together, bursting with energy. Roddy was already running the lane machine when he arrived so there was little for Dewey to do in the workshop or behind the front desk. Everything was already handled so Dewey went to the office to track some orders and see if anyone had gotten back to him about a good, used popcorn maker. He wanted one like the theaters had because popcorn was dirt cheap to make and pretty much sold itself when it was fresh.

There was nothing interesting in his inbox, unfortunately, but Dewey was rescued when Theo slipped into his office and closed the door behind him. “How’s it going, boss?” he asked cautiously.

Dewey hissed as he leaned and looked through the window as Bryce and Chase goofed around on lane 2. They were trying to outdo each other with trick shots and it was just what Dewey wanted to see on a quiet morning when all the chores were done.

“I’m…alright,” he said, then held up his hands. “I think I’m alright?” He gave Theo a clueless shrug.

Theo laughed as he came around the desk and sat on the edge. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” Dewey shook his head in disbelief. “Everything’sperfect, but that might be the problem…”

“Ach so,” Theo said heavily. “Let’s see if you canonlybe the boss, now that you have all the qualified help you need,” he challenged with a knowing look.

Dewey rose, rolling his eyes as he leaned in and pecked at Theo’s lips. “I don’t know how to be idle,” he admitted, accepting he had a new problem to cope with. That would behisproblem, though, because it was time for Dewey to take a step back and let Chase and Roddy do the heavy lifting around the bowling alley. That was what was best for business, and what was best for Dewey. “But I’ll get used to it.”

“I think I can find ways to keep you busy,” Theo mused as he walked his fingers down Dewey’s chest.

“Here?” he asked with another quick glance at the lanes. He couldn’t see Bryce or Chase anymore, but assumed they had everything under control. “What if we closed the blinds and locked the door?”

“What if?” Theo whispered excitedly.

Dewey nodded, then swore and spun around when there was an urgent knock. “Enter,” he barked.

The door swung open and Bryce was breathless as he leaned into the office. “Someone’s here. They’re looking for Theo.”

“Me?” Theo offered Dewey a clueless shrug before they went to take a look.

They hurried out of the office and Theo’s steps slowed and he rubbed his eyes like he was seeing a mirage as an elderly woman in a fur turban and a magenta cape angrily waved a cane at Roddy.

“Touch me again and I’ll beat you with one of those pins,” she threatened as a tall,beautiful,dark-haired gentleman in a sleek gray suit searched the shoe racks behind the counter.

“Where is he? I know he’s here!”

Theo cleared his throat loudly. “What are you two doing here?”

The other man turned and raced around the counter and Dewey recognized him from Theo’s phone. Matteo pointed and ran at them. “You’re alright!” He pulled Theo into a tight embrace, then leaned back and grimaced. “Although, I am concerned about this ensemble,” he said as he scanned Theo’s hot pink Brooks Bowling polo, jeans, and bowling shoes.

“Take him and let’s be off!” the woman ordered and pointed at Theo. She pushed a stunned Roddy away and aimed her cane at Dewey. “You don’t want any trouble from us,” she said with an icy glare.

Dewey reared back and shook his head. “Are you sure you’re in the right place?”

“You must be Walter,” Matteo drawled as he narrowed his eyes at Dewey.

“No…” Dewey pointed at the dog, sleeping soundly in front of the desk, despite the commotion. “That’s Walter.”

“Eh?” Matteo said as he turned and blinked at Walter and then at Theo. “That’sWalter?”

The woman huffed indignantly. “I was told to be ready to fight but I refuse to assault a basset hound.”

“Stand down, Muriel,” Theo said to her, then cupped Matteo’s cheek. “It’s so good to see you!” He pulled him close and kissed his forehead hard before putting an arm around Matteo and turning them. “Everyone, this is my brother, Matteo von Hessen, and his sidekick, Ms. Muriel Hormsby.”

“Is this an extraction or not?” Muriel asked tartly, making Theo laugh.

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