London was covered in paint spatter. She’d been hopping from one painting to the next, sketching in between researching the artists and their methods. She’d thrown herself completely into her work. In the bit of downtime she took, she began planning a series she could pitch to the galleries Mia had put her in touch with. Overall, she was feeling pretty good and productive.
Except for the ache in her heart over Ezra.
She wished she had a way to make it up to him. The lies she told were more for his benefit than hers, but she doubted he’d see it that way.
Maybe she wasn’t able to be with anyone until this job was over. Unless she found a criminal who wouldn’t mind what she was involved in. How did one go about meeting a like-minded criminal? Was there a dating app for that?
She laughed at the ridiculous turn her thoughts had taken. At least she wasn’t feeling quite as mopey.
When her bell rang, she sighed. She told Audrey and Nikki she was fine and was busy working. They didn’t need to keep checking on her.
She tromped to the door and opened it, saying, “I told you I’m fine.”
But she pulled up short when she realized it wasn’t her friends. A delivery guy was staring at her.
“I’m glad you’re fine. London?”
“Yes. Please step in out of the cold.”
He crossed the threshold and handed her a package and a small screen. “I have a package for you. Please sign here.”
She signed with her finger and locked him out. On the way back into her loft, she shook the box. Inside, she slid a knife under the edge and lifted the lid. A note on top was written in a pretty script, and she almost fell over when she saw the signature. Ezra.
She studiedthe curves of the writing. The man continued to surprise her in unusual ways. He had pretty handwriting. If she had to guess she would’ve thought he wrote in chicken scratch or heavy block letters.
She moved the paper aside and found a new topper. How the hell? It was beautiful in a way none of hers had been. She lifted it carefully from the package. It was lighter than the ones she made. Why did he do this?
She called Audrey and put the phone on speaker while she set up to add the diamonds to the topper.
“Hey, what’s up?” Audrey said.
“You’re never going to believe what was just delivered.”
“A stripper gram?” Nikki yelled in the background.
“A new tree topper. And it’s perfect. Ezra sent it with a note saying I gave him ample evidence. What the hell is going on?”
Audrey sighed. “I sent him a little package the other day. Much like Mia did when she wanted to prove that we’re doing good here. Nothing that would be considered legal evidence, but enough to make him believe you.”
“Why would you take that risk?”
“You’re worth it. You were hurting. I didn’t ask him to make a new topper. In fact, I pointed out that the one you made broke, so he would have no connection to anything.”
“And yet, he made me a new one.” London tried to let that sink in. What did that mean? “Well, needless to say, we’re back on for this heist.”
“Woo-hoo!” Nikki called. “Keep Friday night free. We’re going in.”
London stared at the topper. It only gave her a couple of days to get all the diamonds on. “When’s the party?”
“Saturday.”
“Cutting it close.”
“Keeps things interesting.”
“Audrey?”
“I’m still here. Just digging through Moore’s security.”