Page 49 of Aperture

My phone rings a few seconds later.

“Hi!” I exclaim.

“Hey.” His tone is somber.

“How are you?” I say cheerily.

“I’m fine, Millie. How are you?” There’s an edge to Theo’s voice that I am not used to. I can’t tell if it’s directed at me or if he’s just had a bad day.

“I’m good,” I reply.

“What did you do today?”

“I went to the gym, did some online advertising, and worked on ordering prints. The usual.”

“Hhmm,” he starts. “I’m curious. Is it part of your usual routine to go to the gym with Wyatt?”

I pause. I’m caught off guard because how can he possibly know that?

“I did go to the gym today with Wyatt, to learn some self-defense. I was freaked out after the break-in, but I realized in hindsight that it was a bad idea and I was going to talk to you about it.”

“And when were you going to tell me?” he presses.

“Well, seeing as how this is the first time we’ve spoken, I guess right now.”

“I thought we had established this.” I don’t appreciate his accusatory tone.

“I know where you stand, Theo. I told you I wouldn’t be seeing Wyatt, and I’m not planning on spending copious amounts of time with him. We went to the gym today. To work on some self-defense. That is all.”

I can hear him sigh heavily on the other end of the phone. “I’m sorry. I just get worked up when it comes to that guy. I feel like he’s going to try to undermine our relationship.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he’s a miserable bastard who wants what I have.”

My first thought is that he actually passed on what Theo has, which is dating me, but it’s probably not smart to bring that up.

“He’s not undermining you, Theo. Like you said, he’s involved in this too, whether we like it or not. As a cop, and a human being, he’s just trying to make sure I’m safe.”

“I understand,” he submits.

Then I remember. He knew where I was today before I told him.

“How did you know I went to the gym with Wyatt today?”

“I miss you,” he says, ignoring my question.

Oh, Hell no. He’s going to answer my question.

“Theo. How did you know I was with Wyatt today?”

“I’m just trying to keep you safe.”

“Stop evading the question. What did you do?”

I hear a long sigh on the other end of the phone. “I put a tracking app on your phone”

I am so mad at this invasion of privacy that I want to reach through the phone and punch him right in his stupid, handsome face.