Page 34 of The Rhythm of their Souls

Theo: Mmm. I already know no matter what you’re in, all I’ll be able to think about is your body bare beneath your clothes.

Me: Well, if you’re a good boy, I might just let you help me undress before the night is over.

Theo: I’ll be on my very best behavior. You have my word.

Me: Good :) I will see you soon. Nora should be on the way here soon. I’ll talk to you later. Have a good night, Theo.

Theo: Have a good time with your sister. Talk soon, beautiful.

Damn, this man makes me want to do very dirty things to him. Not only is he nice to look at, but he’s thoughtful. So thoughtful that he kindly finger fucked me on the beach the other day.

Warm chills run up my spine just thinking about everything that transpired that night. It makes me wonder how good he is in bed. And something tells me he is talented in many other areas. It makes me nervous about tomorrow.

After refusing to let me drive and meet him tomorrow at the restaurant he’s taking me to, we finally agreed on him picking me up. Danielle and Chase will stay at the apartment with Lottie, and I will stay with Theo at his house after dinner. This is the part that terrifies me. It has been over a year since Noah and I last slept together, and that was my last time.

I’ve been uninterested in seeking men until Theo snuck up on me. I have this strong feeling that I won’t be able to keep my hands to myself. And the last thing I want to do is make a fucking fool out of myself.

Danielle begged me to let her pick my outfit and do my makeup and hair for tomorrow’s festivities. I didn’t have it in me to tell her no; plus, I already knew she was going to make sure I looked classy but fuckable. Normally, I would protest against it; I’ve never wanted that kind of attention on me. But something inside me wants to see Theo’s ocean eyes spark a flame when he sees me tomorrow night.

I want him hungry for me. And I know that when I see the switch in his eyes flip, it’ll take all my willpower to be good. I will do my best to keep my hands to myself and let Theo take the lead on everything.

Chapter 20

Nora and I happily devour the entire pizza while watching our favorite childhood movie, “The Never-Ending Story.” It’s just as delightful as it was when we first saw it as kids—so much so that we could easily reenact the entire film if we wanted to, having watched it countless times.

The nostalgia I experienced tonight brought me comfort, and having Nora here with me has made it even better.

Spending time with her tonight has meant the world to me; I’ve missed having quality time with her. Our relationship has shifted since Jake passed away, but not in a negative way. It’s not that it has changed; I think it has more to do with how Nora has changed.

Even tonight, I can sense that something is off with her. While we’ve shared some great laughs since she arrived, I’ve noticed her body language during the moments when she doesn’t realize I’m watching.

I fidget with my moon bracelet, twirling it around my wrist. “Oh, I almost forgot!” I jump up from the couch and head towards my room.

“What is it?” Nora shouts.

I quickly return and plop back down. “Let me see your wrist.”

Nora glances at my enclosed hand before extending her arm my way. I clasp on the moon bracelet and watch as her eyes light up. She runs her thumb over the moon pendant, a genuine smile stretching across her face. There’s my beautiful Nora Ray.

“Where did you get this? I love it!” she chirps.

I throw my wrist up and jingle my bracelet for her to see. “From a gift shop at the beach. We’re matching now.”

Nora continues staring at the pendant. “It’s perfect, Olive. Thank you.”

“I’m so glad you like it. It makes me think of all those nights in the treehouse watching the moon when we were kids.”

Nora smiles a little, and I watch as it slowly melts from her face. “Those same nights, our mother was high as a kite or nowhere to be found.” She lets out a short, dramatic laugh.

Grabbing my watered-down margarita from the coffee table, I take a huge gulp to flush down the ache that claws up my throat. “It’s not a childhood I would wish on anyone, but I can only be thankful that we had one another,” I reply.

Nora stares forward blankly, nodding her head.

We both sit in our dreary silence for what feels like an eternity.

There’s more to this conversation to be had. My mind trails back to the day I stopped by to visit her. I can’t hold back anymore; I need to know if what I saw in her purse was what I’ve prayed it wasn’t. It has not left my mind since.

Now my stomach is turning into knots just thinking about where this will lead and the fact that I’m potentially stirring some shit up when we’ve had a great night so far.