What made him change it?
Had I done something wrong?
I had a habit of reading everyone around me. I had to avoid making them upset in any shape, form, or fashion. It was like that when I lived with my father and it was like that right now too.
Theo wasn’t being unfair. He didn’t have to talk to me at all, but the previous time was different, and I didn’t know what had changed.
Fuck.I’d be thinking about this for a while.
I let the conversation die as I handed over my card. Once I had my coffee, I was tempted to leave and go back to my place, but I’d promised Scarlett I’d sit and write, so I made my way over to a table.
It was silly to be disappointed, but I was. I tried to put it out of my mind as I pulled my laptop from my bag and sipped on the coffee, but I was bothered.
After thirty minutes of staring at an empty document that was supposed to be my next novel, I was about to call it quits.
“Don’t take it personally,” a voice said. I immediately jumped in my seat. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
I slowly looked up, fighting the tension in every muscle. Kelsey stood at the edge of my table, hands raised in mock defense.
Oh,God.I needed to get it together.
“Sorry,” I said, faking a laugh. “What were you saying?”
“Theo being a terrible conversationalist.” She jerked her thumb in his direction. He was staring at the door.
“Am I that obvious?”
She shrugged. “A little, but it’s fine. I just don’t want you worrying about him.”
“He was very different last time.”
“Yeah, that was out of character for him.” She shook her head. “How he acted today is how he usually is.”
“So it wasn’t me.”
“No. Theo makes keeping his distance an art form. From everyone. A lot of people around here have tried to get close with him, and it never goes well.”
I nodded slowly. That was better than what I was thinking. “That helps to know. Thank you for telling me.”
“It’s no problem. The last thing I want you to feel is that you did something wrong. A few people already got onto him for talking to you?—”
“Wait, why? He didn’t do anything wrong.”
“But he was nicer to you than anyone else. Around here, people talk about that kind of stuff. Theo doesn’t date or make close friends. He spoke with you more than anyone else in town.”
“Me?” I laugh. “I didn’t do anything.”
Kelsey winked. “I know. But like I said, it was out of character for him. Now he’s back in character. Sorry, girl.”
My cheeks heated. I loved the idea of him looking at me twice. But it would never go anywhere. Not with how I was about touch.
“It’s probably for the best.”
Kelsey nodded. “At least you’ll be joining all the other women in town. I think they’ve all looked at Theo once or twice.”
“Have you?”
“No. Not my type. If anything changed with him, I’d be cheering for you.”
