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“You said you were curious.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means I have an idea.”

“Theo—”

“Nope.” He pointed at me while already scrolling through contacts. “No overthinking allowed for at least five minutes.”

I watched in complete confusion while he stood from the bed and moved toward the balcony doors, already dialing someone. The entire conversation was absurdly Theo.

“Yes, hi.” Pause. “Need a favor.”

Another pause.

“Tonight.”

I snorted from the bed while he shot me a grin over his shoulder.

“Yes, I know it’s short notice.”

Silence.

“No media, yes the whole place, and security please.”

Another silence.

Then, finally, “You’re the best. I owe you.”

Theo hung up, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

“That was terrifying,” I informed him.

“I have a surprise.”

“That sentence has literally never ended well in history.” He ignored me completely, walking back over until he stood between my knees. “Get dressed.”

“Excuse me?”

“Comfortable clothes. Sneakers.”

“Theodore.”

His hands slid to my waist gently. “You trust me?” And there it was again. That impossible thing. The way that trusting him felt as natural as breathing now.

“Yes,” I whispered back, leaning over to kiss him.

An hour later, I found myself standing outside a private indoor karting facility just outside the city, staring up at the glowing track through giant glass windows while my stomach flipped violently inside me.

“Theo,” I whispered.

He shoved his hands into his hoodie pockets beside me, suddenly looking oddly nervous himself. “Before you panic, we can leave whenever you want, zero pressure.”

I turned toward him slowly.

“I rented the place out,” he explained quickly. “So it’s just us, we can just sit and stare at them if you want.”

My throat tightened instantly.