Page 96 of Love You, Mean It

“Really? There’snothingyou need from me?”

“Want and need aren’t the same thing, Ellie.”

“Well…IsupposeI could be persuaded. After all, I’ve always had a soft spot for jamón ibérico—”

And suddenly Theo’s arms were around me, and he was pulling me against his body, and my lips had found his, arms circling his broad shoulders as I stretched up to meet the soft pressure of his mouth, stars exploding through my whole body at his touch, thrillingly new and yet somehow familiar, almost like I was coming home. We must have been lost in each other for longer than I realized when the cough behind me startled me back to reality.

“Not that I have anything against young love, but can you two put a hold on that?” Mimi’s eyes narrowed at Theo. “Some of us have a bottle of wine waiting, and I need a word with my granddaughter.”

“I wouldn’t dare come between you andthat,” Theo said. “Ellie, I’ll just wait for you over here.” He tilted his head toward the doors before making his retreat.

Once he was out of earshot, Mimi took my hand in both of hers.

“Thank god you finally saw sense.”

“Is that what you think I’m doing?”

“You don’t get to be my age without learning how to spot the obvious, Eleanor.”

“But…you said we’d never work. At the engagement party.”

“I said thatplaceis not us, and I stand by that. But…it may not be Theo, either. At the very least you should find out for yourself.” She squeezed my hand tenderly, then her face turned grave. “There’s just one thing I need to say to you, and I want you to listen very closely. It’s important.”

“Okay…”

“There is no way on god’s green earth that I willevershare a holiday with Ted Taylor. Are we clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Good. In that case…I suppose we’ll have to pray that being a prick doesn’t skip a generation. Now. Get going, before you make me lose my bet with your aunt Susan.” She pecked me lightly on the cheek and strode out, nodding sharply at Theo as she pushed through the doors.

Theo slid his arm through mine as we emerged into the chilly night. I was so used to his opening the door for me that it barely registered. I sighed contentedly as the seat heater wrapped me in its warm, full-body hug.

“So? Where are we headed?” Theo turned to me. “I’d say that speakeasy Everett likes, but that might be a little awkward. But the bar at Post is nice. Or we could head into Boston, I know a great little wine bar in Back Bay.”

“We’re going to Major MacLeod’s, obviously.”

“Really?” Theo raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “I know you’re saving for a condo, but I’m happy to float the drinks.”

“How do you know that?”

“It’s been great getting to know Bella again,” he said, grinning wryly. “So? The world is your oyster.”

“And I’m choosing the oysters at Major MacLeod’s. But not on the weekends. There’s a reason they do the dollar Sunday special.”

“Okaaay”—Theo started the car and pulled out—“I’ll humor you. That is, if you tell mewhywe’re going there.”

“We’ve already established the meet-cute, Theo. Get ready to lose at pool.”