His eyes traced the space slowly. “It could still happen.” He said the words softly, so much so that I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear it.
My mood plummeted. I wanted to live in a world where nothing could ever make this end.
But I knew the reality of things.
“Are you going to give me a tour?” I asked, eager to get us back on easier topics.
He took me to the kitchen, which was well-kept with a wooden table and chairs pushed into the corner. The bedrooms were on the other side of the house. One was an office, another was his room, and the last was made up into a guest room.
The unadorned walls really stuck out. The coffee shop didn’t look like this. Theo must’ve put all of his energy there and none here. I didn’t blame him. If I had a place doing as well as his, then I’d throw myself into it. I’d done it many times with my books.
“Wow, this is way bigger than my apartment.”
“You should see the backyard.” Theo opened a window and showed me a yard that was recently mowed. My jaw dropped. My childhood home didn’t have this much space, and I usually didn’t get to go outside since our neighbors were always suspicious of us.
“You’ve convinced me,” I said. “When can I move in?”
“I don’t know if a bank would loan to you.”
“That better not be a knock on my writing. I may not be rich, but I do make money.”
“You don’t look old enough to have a credit score.”
“And you look old enough to need a walker.”
He scoffed. “I do not.”
“I figured we were both lying here. Want some more ideas? I have opinions on your coffee.”
“Not that.” Theo put a hand on his chest. “Anything but that.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. My phone buzzed and I pulled it out, sighing when I saw an email from Mitch.
“Sorry, work calls. Do you mind if I set up my laptop for a minute? I just need to talk to my agent really quickly.”
“Of course.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I need a shower after someone wouldn’t let me go home last night.”
After Theo disappeared into the back rooms, I sat and rubbed my forehead. He must’ve finally read my book and now he wanted to call.
I made myself comfortable and waited to hear the water start before I said I was free.
Mitch frowned the second the video feed kicked in. “Is that your apartment?”
I looked behind me. It was a white wall with nothing on it.
“Uh, no.”
“Are you in public?”
“Also no. But I’m alone.”
Mitch’s brow furrowed. “Okay. I have questions.”
“Are they about work?”
“Not all of them, but I have a feeling you want me to ask the work ones.”
“That would be nice.”
