The cool mirth drops from him. He tips his head, eyes narrowing. I wait him out. I’m done with this. The Twins are acting weird, Wickham has turned into another person entirely, and I just want to turn on a movie and get started on Ming’s meals. But the silence stretches on. What the hell does he want?

“Girls!” he calls. His smirk is back in place. “Let’s head out.”

Tonic appears in the doorway. “Weren’t we waiting to see Jane?”

“Bennet said he’s fine. Ginn,” he says to the redhead, who has stepped in behind Tonic, “don’t you two have a practice space reserved for six?”

Tonic’s brow furrows, and Ginn drapes a hand over her partner’s shoulder.

“That’s right! Totally forgot about it. I got us in this morning. Didn’t I tell you?” Ginn looks at me. “Give Jane our best, though?” Her tone is too saccharine to be sincere.

I give her a tight smile. “Will do.”

Ginn walks out and Wickham follows. Tonic lingers in the doorway. Her brow is still creased, and she holds her hands in to her chest, pressing back the cuticles of her right hand, one by one.

“Tonic?” I ask.

“I’m sorry,” she blurts, taking a step back. “Tell Jane. I’m really, really sorry, Kitten.”

I nod slowly. “Sure, I’ll pass it along.”

Her gaze is fixed on the floor between us. “I’ll see you this weekend.”

“I’ll be there.” I eye her. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“To-nic!” Ginn singsongs from the other side of the apartment. The front door scrapes over the mat. “Let’s go!”

“I’ll see you.” Tonic darts down the hallway. I follow, catching sight of her in time to see her step out after Ginn. Wickham holds the door for the girls, then saunters to the opening with a tip of an imaginary cap my way.

“Ms. Bennet, thank you for your generous hospitality.” The door shuts behind him.

I stare at where he was standing. What in the hell just happened?

CHAPTER

17

Friday afternoon, I relay Wickham’s visit with the Twins to Ming.

She wrinkles her nose. “What’s that all about?” she asks, and takes a sip of her latte.

We’re in the break room at Work It, enjoying having the floor to ourselves while the rest of the staff is upstate. Toby’s been traveling to check in with the new offices and asked me to organize a team-building day to make sure morale at HQ didn’t fall off. It was sweet, like a new baby has arrived and Dad’s taking the family dogs on special walkies so they don’t feel neglected. I volunteered to stay behind and man the office in exchange for time off when my cousin visits.