Partners in Crime

Chapter twenty-five

It's been almost two weeks since the guilt of lying to everyone has started to affect me. Not to mention I've been avoiding basically everyone except for Tammy - She's the only one not questioning me on everything I'm doing. After a few days of office work it became apparent that half an hour of work a day is all Theo and I are going to get, leading me to tell Clare to screw her uniform rule, if I'm not working on the field, I'm wearing my own clothes like everyone else.

It's safe to say that Clare laughed in my face and when I questioned her about it she told me Theo owed her twenty bucks because she bet him that I'd crack in under a week.

Speaking of Theo I've been avoiding him since he questioned me about the scars. He's tried to mention it a few time but I use the simple sentence 'stay out of it'. Blondie has also become the girlfriend who likes to pop in to see him almost every lunch time.

I casually roll my eyes when the door is pushed open at exactly 1:12pm. Does this girl have a set timetable? "Hey baby." Blondie basically purrs towards Theo who smirks up at her. "Oh hey Agent Bennett didn't see you there."

"Never do." I mutter as I sign off on some files. I don't bother looking up at them, the sinking feeling in my stomach every time I see them tells me I need to stay away from both of them.

After signing off on the last sheet, I stand up and grab my bag. I ignore their flirtatious conversation as I walk out.

"Olivia, there you are. I've been meaning to catch up with you." Clare steps out of her office at the same time as I step out of ours. "Can you pop in for a chat?"

I nod and follow her into her office. It's definitely more professional than mine and Theo's which isn't surprising.

"How are you finding office work?" She asks in her professional voice once she takes a seat on her side of the desk.

"Boring, but what can we do." I say as I sit down across from her.

"What do you think of Theo's girlfriend?"

Wow jumping straight in there.

I shrug. "She's.... different"

Clare nods and continues all too chirpily. "Maybe it's a good thing he got a girlfriend though, people won't be spreading office romance rumours about you two and I won't have to fire you both." 

Is this her way of warning me to stay out of it, because I'm pretty sure that's what I've been doing.

I let out a nervous laugh. "Wouldn't want that to happen."

"Definitely not." Clare nods. "Letting Tammy and Charlie away with it was hard enough."

I nod. "I totally understand, luckily nothing will ever happen between Theo and I."

"That's good to hear."

I nod and stand up. "Anyway I need to pop to the shop to get some coffee, you need anything?"

Clare shakes her head. "I'm good thanks."

I make a quick stop in the bathroom to check my appearance. This morning I felt like wearing a professional yet comfortable outfit with my hair tied up.

The shops is a three minute walking distance from the office so taking my car is unnecessary. Thankfully by the time I get back to the office with my coffee in hand blondie's gone.

"You didn't get me one?" Theo says in an overly cocky voice.

I turn around to face him and lean against the front of my desk. "You literally just had lunch with your girlfriend, and she definitely didn't bring me anything."

Theo shrugs. "Why would she? She's my girlfriend."

I roll my eyes. "Jeez, I never said she was my girlfriend."

He crosses his arms. "Well the least you could do is stop making her uncomfortable every time she comes to see me."

My mouth opens in shock. "Me? Are you serious? She's the uncomfortable one, more like I am. I shouldn't have to listen to your disgusting relationship talk that makes me leave my own office."

"Just because you don't like people actually being happy, doesn't mean you need to be so negative."

I roll my eyes. "Oh shut up."

"Whatever you stay out of my relationship and I'll stay out of your secret."

Great I thought he forgot about my back.

"Fine." I cross my arms.

"Fine."

There's a soft knock on the door, snapping both of our attention towards it. Clares assistant pushes it open and peeps his head in. "You guys free to talk?" He asks and continues to walk in when we both nod.

"What's up?" I ask, moving to sit down in my chair.

Jake opens his tablet and starts swiping through something. "You two worked on the Romeo Hail case right?"

Theo nods. "We got the little girl out. Is everything alright?"

Jake nods. "I just thought I'd deliver the news! Hail got the verdict today, he has no chance for parole for at least another ten years."

"Oh yeah, why weren't we called up to testify? Clare never mentioned it." I raise a quizzical eyebrow, my tone soft because I also know it has nothing to do with Jake.

"Clare explained to the judge how her two lead agent on the case were mentally and physically worn out after recent cases." He shrugs. "So both your statements from the day it went down were used instead."

I nod. "That makes sense."

Jake is about to leave but he turns around to face my desk with his back to Theo. "Actually I was thinking," He gives me friendly smile. "would you wanna grab drinks sometime?"

Jakes around my age, maybe slightly younger. From his appearance you can tell he enjoys the gym, but not as much as Theo. His curly blonde hair is long enough for him to style it and he's definitely hot but not my type. But I also know when someone's asking me out in a friendship or relationship way and from the tone of Jakes voice and his body language I can tell he feels the same about me as I do him.

I hear Theo quietly scoff from behind Jake but I don't react instead I throw a grin Jakes way. "That'd be cool. What about Friday, does that suit?"

Jake nods. "That sounds great. I can get your number from the files and I'll text you so you get mine."

I laugh. "That saves some time."

Jake grins. "Well I'm finished for the day but I'll see you guys next shift."

I give him a small wave while Theo mutters a curt "Later man."

"Colleague relationships are against the rules." Theo mutters a few minutes later while scrolling through his laptop.

I roll my eyes. "Can't a boy ask a girl for a drink as friends?"

"He never said as friends." Theo looks over at me. "He should know better he's Clares assistant."

"You seriously don't think he knows better?" I give him a deadpan expression.

"Whatever, get yourself fired for all I care." He mutters and storms out of the room.

I scoff to myself. Did I miss something?

My phone pings and my scoff turns into a smile when I read the message I was sent.

He looks mad!! I won't lie I may have tried to purposely piss him off. - Jake.

I laugh to myself. I like this boy already.