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Authors: Katie O'Boyle
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coaching. “And I have a few busy days ahead finding a place to live and leasing a car.”
“In that regard, Gianessa and I agree you should look at Joel’s old apartment at 14 Lakeside Terrace. It’s a one-bedroom with a grand view of the lake. We can swing by after breakfast, if you’d like to see it.”
“Love to. Thank you.”
“And, just a thought, when Joel returns, you might want to talk to him about buying his VW Passat. He’s been looking at new cars, and, between you and me, Joel is a very conservative driver, so you’re assured the car is in excellent condition.”
“That sounds like a plan. Where is Joel? Is Manda away, too? When will they be back?” Manda hadn’t answered her phone last night.
“He and Manda left on their wedding trip to Ireland the morning we heard about the grant, so they weren’t aware of your trip to Tompkins Falls. They’ll be back home in a couple of days. Manda will be thrilled to have you here.”
“Why do I think you left something out?” Lyssa raised one eyebrow.
“You see right through me. That can make you either a dangerous adversary or a cunning collaborator.” The rumble in Justin’s tone warned her to take the statement seriously.
“I’m no adversary, Justin, although I will speak my mind, as you’ve seen. As for cunning, my intentions are good. I’m excited about the work and about what I see at the college. And so far I like Tompkins Falls very much.”
“That will serve us well.”
“And the piece you left out of your comments about Joel and Manda’s travels?”
Justin sat back. “Today, they had planned to surprise you in London.”
“And I’m not there for them.” Lyssa shut her eyes against the regret that rose in her. “Joel has had such a long recovery from that accident. I’m sorry they’ve traveled so far for nothing.”
“Thank you for saying that.” Justin reached across the table and rested his hand on hers. “I am concerned for the same reason.”
“Is there any way I can reach them? I could suggest a few low-key fun things for them to do.”
Justin patted her hand. “Joel called me just before I picked you up to say they’d had lunch with Kyle, who was at your flat helping to box up your things.”
Lyssa’s heart hammered.
Justin continued, as if he hadn’t seen her distress. “You had evidently left some things at Pennington House that he thought you might want. Joel said he and Manda are planning to take it easy, see a matinee and sample some restaurants. Manda will probably do some shopping and sightseeing with a guide Kyle suggested, while Joel enjoys the pool.”
“So.” Lyssa had trouble breathing. I left my heart at Pennington House. How’s he going to wrap that for transport? “Then it’s not a total disaster for Joel and Manda.”
“About Kyle . . .”
“We will not talk about Kyle.” Lyssa’s eyes blazed, and Justin averted his gaze. I’m making trouble for myself.
A movement caught her eye. Haley had backed away from the table and stood with a steaming carafe in hand, her eyes wide.
“I’m very sorry, Haley.” Lyssa held out her mug. “I’d love a hot up.”
“What did you call it? A hot up?” Haley smiled as she poured.
“Exactly.” Justin held out his mug. “In one pour, you’re heating up what’s left in the cup and raising the level of the liquid. A hot up.”
“I’m going to start using that with customers and see how it goes over. Your food will be right out.”
Once she’d left, Lyssa asked, “Justin, what can you tell me about Rand Cunningham? I believe he’s—”
“Among our newest faculty, very well liked. Poet in the Communications Department, very active in online communities that promote young talent.”
“Married?”
Justin paused with his mouth open. “I don’t believe so. But for all his social presence, I know next to nothing about his personal life. Why do you ask?” The question came out a growl.
Lyssa shrugged. “I ran into him,
“In that regard, Gianessa and I agree you should look at Joel’s old apartment at 14 Lakeside Terrace. It’s a one-bedroom with a grand view of the lake. We can swing by after breakfast, if you’d like to see it.”
“Love to. Thank you.”
“And, just a thought, when Joel returns, you might want to talk to him about buying his VW Passat. He’s been looking at new cars, and, between you and me, Joel is a very conservative driver, so you’re assured the car is in excellent condition.”
“That sounds like a plan. Where is Joel? Is Manda away, too? When will they be back?” Manda hadn’t answered her phone last night.
“He and Manda left on their wedding trip to Ireland the morning we heard about the grant, so they weren’t aware of your trip to Tompkins Falls. They’ll be back home in a couple of days. Manda will be thrilled to have you here.”
“Why do I think you left something out?” Lyssa raised one eyebrow.
“You see right through me. That can make you either a dangerous adversary or a cunning collaborator.” The rumble in Justin’s tone warned her to take the statement seriously.
“I’m no adversary, Justin, although I will speak my mind, as you’ve seen. As for cunning, my intentions are good. I’m excited about the work and about what I see at the college. And so far I like Tompkins Falls very much.”
“That will serve us well.”
“And the piece you left out of your comments about Joel and Manda’s travels?”
Justin sat back. “Today, they had planned to surprise you in London.”
“And I’m not there for them.” Lyssa shut her eyes against the regret that rose in her. “Joel has had such a long recovery from that accident. I’m sorry they’ve traveled so far for nothing.”
“Thank you for saying that.” Justin reached across the table and rested his hand on hers. “I am concerned for the same reason.”
“Is there any way I can reach them? I could suggest a few low-key fun things for them to do.”
Justin patted her hand. “Joel called me just before I picked you up to say they’d had lunch with Kyle, who was at your flat helping to box up your things.”
Lyssa’s heart hammered.
Justin continued, as if he hadn’t seen her distress. “You had evidently left some things at Pennington House that he thought you might want. Joel said he and Manda are planning to take it easy, see a matinee and sample some restaurants. Manda will probably do some shopping and sightseeing with a guide Kyle suggested, while Joel enjoys the pool.”
“So.” Lyssa had trouble breathing. I left my heart at Pennington House. How’s he going to wrap that for transport? “Then it’s not a total disaster for Joel and Manda.”
“About Kyle . . .”
“We will not talk about Kyle.” Lyssa’s eyes blazed, and Justin averted his gaze. I’m making trouble for myself.
A movement caught her eye. Haley had backed away from the table and stood with a steaming carafe in hand, her eyes wide.
“I’m very sorry, Haley.” Lyssa held out her mug. “I’d love a hot up.”
“What did you call it? A hot up?” Haley smiled as she poured.
“Exactly.” Justin held out his mug. “In one pour, you’re heating up what’s left in the cup and raising the level of the liquid. A hot up.”
“I’m going to start using that with customers and see how it goes over. Your food will be right out.”
Once she’d left, Lyssa asked, “Justin, what can you tell me about Rand Cunningham? I believe he’s—”
“Among our newest faculty, very well liked. Poet in the Communications Department, very active in online communities that promote young talent.”
“Married?”
Justin paused with his mouth open. “I don’t believe so. But for all his social presence, I know next to nothing about his personal life. Why do you ask?” The question came out a growl.
Lyssa shrugged. “I ran into him,
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