“Given that my mom and I share the same athletic abilities, hiking wasn’t a popular family activity in my household. My dad tried to take us once when I was in middle school, and we made it about a quarter of the way down the trail before he picked us both up and carried us back to the car. We giggled the whole way back, but I think we were both grateful that we didn’t have to endure another scrape on our knees.”
“He carried both of you back?” Theo pulls at his shirt collar. “Remind me to get a workout session in when we get back to the house.”
Laughing, I grab his bicep again, though not because I’ve tripped. “Oh please, with arms like these, I’m sure you’d have no problem doing the same.”
His eyebrows tick up at my statement, and I look away from him, yanking my hand off his bicep. Not knowing what to say, I stay silent, worried I’ll give my attraction away too easily if I keep talking.
Roman and Leo are far ahead, leading the way for the rest of us. They are framed by Alex and Beth, who are walking on opposite sides of the trail as if to avoid each other at all costs. Though I can’t help but notice Alex keeps looking toward his right, where Beth continues on the trail. They are only a few steps ahead of us, but I’mworried that if I can’t catch my footing, we’ll never catch up.
“Here.” Theo holds out his arm for me, as if reading my mind, and I place my palm in the crook of his elbow, ignoring how big his bicep is compared to my hand. The offer comes as a calming sentiment, assuring me I didn’t make him too uncomfortable with my statement before.
“Where are we going anyway?” I ask Theo, trying and failing not to sound too out of breath.
“It’s a surprise.” When he looks down at me, the sun beams through the trees towering above us, shining down on Theo. He looks radiant, and I have to pull my eyes away before my thoughts drift to a place I’ve been working hard not to let them go.
“Alright, fine.” I clutch his arm harder to avoid any more tripping incidents. “Did you hike this trail when you were kids?” I may be keeping my thoughts from drifting to speculation about what Theo looks like naked, but there’s no harm in learning more about him. Especially if it’ll help me sell this relationship to his brothers, particularly Roman.
“Oh yeah. Roman insisted on it every year. He said it’s the one thing Dad would take us to do when we came up here. Mom wasn’t much of a hiker either.” He winks at me, and I shove his shoulder in response.
“Your parents took you here then?” I regret the question as soon as it leaves my mouth. It’s not my place to ask about his deceased parents, considering he isn’t my real boyfriend. The thought bothers me more than it should, but I brush it off as he responds.
“All the time. I don’t remember much, but I’ve seenphotos of us all here. Mom and Dad bought the place when I was three, so we only had a short amount of time to enjoy it together before they passed.” I squeeze gently on his arm when I hear his voice falter.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It seems like the four of you have built a nice tradition of coming out here, though.” He chuckles, some of the tension easing from his shoulders, and in response, the tightness in my chest loosens a little.
“We have. It was Roman’s idea, but he would never admit it. I swear there’s a soft interior to his tough exterior. There just aren’t a lot of people he lets see it.”
I hum my agreement, not sure how to respond, but wanting to believe Theo for the sake of my career.
“I guess it doesn’t really matter if you’ll be getting a job offer any day now.” He keeps his attention forward as he says the words.
“Well, no job offer is guaranteed. I still have to do well in the interview tomorrow. It’s fine if I have your room to myself while I take the call, right?” I ask to check that he’s still okay with the plan.
“Sure, and take however much time you need.” He’s still avoiding eye contact with me.
“Even if I accept the offer, I still plan on following through with my end of the deal. I’m not one to break a promise.” I try to ease any discomfort he may be having over this.
“You wouldn’t have to, I’d understand if you’d want to leave.” He makes brief eye contact with me before continuing, “Although I am curious why you’d want this job. Didn’t you say it was a receptionist position?”
“I did, but it’s still a foot in the door into a construction company. It’s one step closer to an architecture position.”
I catch Theo nodding his head out of the corner of my eye, my grip on his bicep tightening as I avoid another rock with my foot.
“Is that what you want? Just a foot in the door?” Theo asks. “We can help you get a position at a top architecture firm in the city.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I have to be realistic about this. You might be able to get me an interview, but most big architecture firms don’t hire directly out of college. They look for experience, which comes from starting at places like JR Construction.”
“I guess. But you strike me as the type of woman who would go after what she wants. I’m shocked you’d be okay with settling for a position you’re overqualified for.”
I’m quiet as I think through Theo’s statement. It may not be the best job in the world, but it will pay the bills. One that will still help me achieve the future career goals I’ve planned out for myself.
“I am going after what I want.” I try to bite back the irritation in my tone. “Not all of us have a multimillion-dollar company where we are guaranteed a job. Some of us have to start at the bottom and work our way to the top.”
“Sienna…I wasn’t trying to be rude,” Theo says hesitantly.
Sighing, I say, “I’m sorry. I think the heat is getting to me. I know you weren’t.” I give him a small smile of reassurance.
“Send me your portfolio and let me take a look. It’ll help me convince Roman to get you a few interviews. Even if you get this other job, it’d be nice if I could offer you some options.”
