Page 47 of The Rhythm of their Souls

I hold my breath for a moment.How the hell does she know about Theo? “I-I was planning on it. I just didn’t know if it was a little fling, that’s all,” I admit.

She snickers lightly through the speaker. “Uh-huh, it didn’t seem like a little fling from the texts he sent the night I was there.” I suck my lips into my mouth. I am such a fool. I should have just told Nora about him from the start.

“I’m sorry, I should have told you. I-I know you have a lot on your mind, and I didn’t think it was important enough to tell you just yet.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, wanting to shove my black heel up my own ass.

“Olive, you’re important to me, and so is your happiness.” She pauses momentarily. “Does he make you happy?”

I can’t control the grin her question gives me. “He really does, Nora,” I admit.

“Good, because I’d beat his ass if not.”

I let out a giggle. “Oh, I know you would!”

Nora’s laugh echoes through the speaker, causing warmth to flood my skin. Her laugh is contagious.

I trail back to the beach conversation. “I can’t wait to blast Fleetwood Mac the whole way to the beach.”

Nora snorts. “And scream every word of every song?” she asks.

“You fucking know it, sister.” The phone line goes quiet for a moment. “Nora, please call me tomorrow if you need me. I’m here, okay?”

I can hear her shuffling around before she responds. “I know you are, and I will, I promise.”

Relief washes over me. I hope she knows I will come straight to her if she needs my company. I’ll do whatever it takes to distract her from the grief that is undoubtedly to consume her tomorrow.

“Okay, good. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, little sister, to the moon and back.”

I smile at my moon bracelet, wondering if she’s still wearing hers. I love you to the moon and far beyond the stars, Nora Ray.

Is it wrong that I’m already slightly buzzed from the two shots Danielle and I took back to back? Honestly, It’s a blessing right now. The tequila is drowning out some nagging nerves pricking at my skin. I haven’t spoken to Taylor since seeing her at the housewarming party over a month ago. Where I’m sure she witnessed me hightail it the fuck out of there. And if she didn’t, someone indeed did.

My goal tonight is to be on my best behavior—drunk… but on my best behavior. It’s almost comical to think that the very reason I left last time was because of Theo and how intimidating he was. Now, here we are, going to where I ran away from him. The irony is uncanny.

My sweet fluff ball runs to the door, wagging her tiny pompom tail while barking excitedly. The boys are here. Danielle struts over to the door, careful not to sprain an ankle in her three-inch stilettos. I throw back my third shot, telling myself this is the last one, until having a drink at Taylor’s place.

Danielle flings the door open, and what I see before me stops the burning liquid from rushing down my throat. Its consistency turns to honey, coating my insides with a warm, thick residue. Suddenly, I feel scorching hot from the inside out. I went from comfortably content to feeling stranded in the middle of a safari.

Chase is leaning against the door frame, licking his lips while eye fucking Danielle’s presence. He wears slate gray suspenders with a matching bow tie. Underneath is a white long-sleeved button-up tucked into black slacks. His shaggy chestnut brown hair peeks from underneath a gray Fedora. He looks astoundingly handsome. Danielle will definitely be ramming that tonight.

Just as Chase enters the door, my eyes stay trained on Theo coming up behind him. For a moment, time stops, just like it did when I first laid eyes on him.

My legs feel like heavy weights are pulling them down, causing me to grip the kitchen island behind me. I quickly realize it’s the weight of his existence, crowding my five senses. What I see before my eyes causes my insides to evaporate.

Theo strides through the door in slow motion, evocative of a dramatic scene from a movie. He wears a three-piece black tweed suit, which includes a long jacket, fitted black slacks, and boots. On top of his head, he wears a flat cap. Dirty blond relaxed curls twirl around the sides and front of his cap. He looks like he was made for his outfit. Could he look bad in any outfit? Doubtful.

I feel like I am in a scene from Peaky Blinders, and sorry, Cillian Murphy, but Theodore Rivers is the main character. And now I’m wondering if he time-traveled to the present because holy shit, this is unreal.

My vagina is screaming his name as he approaches with his eyes zoned in on me. The sweet smell of oak whooshes across my face. And his scent claims the very air I breathe.

Once he’s in front of me, he slides his hands around my waist, kissing my cheek warmly. His mouth then tickles my left earlobe as he whispers. “Keep eyeing me like that, and instead of going to a costume party, we’ll play dress up in your bedroom, resulting in every piece of clothing being removed from your delicate body.” A squeak rushes from my throat.

Theo pulls back with a devilish grin on his face, causing my thighs to rub together, almost starting a fire between my legs. This tasty bastard knows what he’s doing to me. And I won’t give him the satisfaction of knowing that I’d much prefer him to throw me over his shoulder and lock ourselves in my bedroom for hours.

I quickly fix my face, turning my expression to stone, hiding any evidence of my silly arousal. “I’d much rather go to the party,” I retort.

Theo stands mere inches from me, and even with my heels on, I still have to crane my neck to look up at him. His blue orbs stare into my honey irises, not blinking once.