Laughter splits the heavy air, a flaming meteor seeking to do more damage. But when I raise my eyes toward the bridge, it sizzles into nothing. Two points for the Brauni. He has more decency than the last dozen guys Johari has brought home.
My fingers unclench and I stare at him, willing him to look up one more time. He does, and I offer him my best, no-offense-taken smile.
His shoulders relax.
Forty-seven days and sixteen hours of acting to go. May God forgive me.
“Miss Remain, staring into space will not help you complete your work on time.”
Uh-oh. What did I do this time? Trex only calls me “Miss Remain” in my father’s presence or when especially worried about me.
Father’s nowhere in sight.
I shake excess water off my feet and swing around to face Trex. “I’ll try to do better, Master Troble.” I push up his spectacles, which have slid down his nose. Again.
His face remains impassive. Not even a hint of his usual answering smile.
Double uh-oh. Trex’s worry levels have breached code-red, and I haven’t any idea why, unless…I glance back at the now-deserted footbridge. Surely he didn’t think that I am fantasizing about having a boyfriend again. I tried that once and—well, I’d rather not talk about it.
“I’m fine, Trex. Really.” I grab my sandals hanging by their thongs on a nearby branch. “I know my place.” Slipping on my shoes, I crisscross the thongs around my shins.
Trex shakes his head, and the spectacles slide back down. “That’s precisely what I’m afraid of. Precisely.” He offers me the papers lying beside him on the swing. “Now would you like to explain this? It’s so dry I’m surprised it didn’t absorb all the ink from my pen.”
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