Goddamn it, Gabriel. You have no intention of adding a single dollar to her bill. Clarify that. It’s a gift, not a service. Make sure she knows—

“Is Rose around?” Gabriel asked.

“In the kitchen, making tea.”

“Would you mind giving her a hand? I need to speak to Ricky.”

“Sure.”

Rose slid the cards into her pocket and opened the cupboard.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Ricky and I escaped to my apartment after tea. That wasn’t the plan, but I decided I really needed to grab a few things as soon as possible . . . escaping the most awkward tea party ever.

Gabriel had spent the entire time on his phone, typing e-mails and checking messages. I kept telling him I was fine and he could go back to the office, but he stayed—and kept working, without so much as a grunted answer when a question came directly his way.

I finished my tea. “Okay, we should get over to my place—” I looked into Ricky’s cup. “Oh, sorry.”

He drained his cup in one gulp. “Done.”

I got to my feet and turned to Gabriel. “Go back to Chicago. I promise to stay in Cainsville and behave myself until further notice. Okay?”

His jaw twitched. “Are you saying you want me to leave?”

“No,” Rose snapped. “She’s saying you’ve been on that goddamned phone since you got here, and you’re making her feel like she’s imposing.”

He looked at me, startled. “I’ve been working.”

“Right,” I said. “Exactly my point. You don’t need to babysit me. Especially if I’m paying you by the hour.”

Ricky turned on Gabriel. “You’re billing her?”

“Of course he isn’t,” Rose said.

Gabriel addressed me. “If I left that impression, I apologize. Basic legal services are covered, as a benefit, under your employee contract.”

“Can I speak to you, Gabriel?” Rose said. “In the kitchen, please?”

“It’s okay,” I said. “We’re going.”

We hurried into the hall. TC was on the stairs. Before he could escape, Ricky scooped him up and stroked his head. TC flattened his ears and glowered at me as if to say, Fix this.

“He, um, doesn’t like being picked up,” I said.

“He’s just not accustomed to it. I’m going to change that.”

He lifted TC toward me. The cat kept his ears flattened, and slitted his eyes, looking like a grumpy little old man. I stifled a laugh, shook my head, and reached for the doorknob. My phone buzzed with a text. It was Gabriel.

We need to speak to Rose.

I replied, I know. But not while Ricky’s here.

Tell him to stay at your apartment.

I gritted my teeth, sent back, He’s not a dog, and stuffed the phone in my pocket.