One of Harlan’s people.
My stomach sank.
He took a booth.
I walked over.
“If you’re here to kidnap me into a black SUV, I should warn you I have two tables waiting on pancakes.”
He blinked.
Then smiled.
“No kidnapping.”
“Good.”
“My name is Theo Bennett.”
The name clicked.
Mara had said she thought Belle had gone downstairs with Theo.
He seemed to read the recognition on my face.
“I’m Belle’s driver.”
“And yesterday?”
“Yesterday I made an assumption I won’t make again.”
There was no defensiveness in the words.
Only regret.
I softened.
“How is she?”
“Eating French toast and complaining that her father cuts strawberries incorrectly.”
I smiled before I could stop myself.
Theo slid an envelope across the table.
I didn’t touch it.
“What’s that?”
“Not money.”
“Good answer.”
“It’s Harlan’s number.
And an invitation to come to the Meridian tomorrow afternoon.”
