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“Hmmm. . . sounds like we’re going to be working up an appetite. Wanna go halfsies on take-out—shit!” That one stung.
“Shut up, Fay.”
“Where’s my please?”
“The only one who’s going to say please is you, you naughty little minx.”
“Fine, but one question. Did you pack my vibrator? We’ve been through a lot together. I’d hate to see him go.”
I chuckle at the memory. As mad as I was, he made it up to me with lots of orgasms and a storage unit where he put the couch.
I struggle to open the bathroom door. I find a stall and rest my crutches against the wall, sighing as I take the pressure off my leg.
My mind goes back to my crazy, unexpected morning. Theo Monroe has been all about surprises. I shake my head, my lips spreading into a smile as I replay the memory.
“Open it.”
“What is this?”
“Just open it.”
“Is this finally the bill for all your streaming services—”
“Open it, or I’m going to spank the shit out of you. Again.”
I wiggle my brows. “Geez, don’t tempt me with a good time.”
“Jesus, open it.”
“Fine.” I take the thick envelope. I’m going to owe a lot of IOUs if this is really his Netflix. Tearing at the seal, I slide out the stack of documents. I take a quick peek at him, curious about what he has up his sleeve, then scan the first page.Legal terms and phrases I don’t understand are jumbled with phrases I am familiar with. Confusion sets in, trying to understand what I’m reading. Ownership, purchase agreement, restaurant license. . . I finally look up at Theo. “What is this?”
“It’s the purchase of a building space.”
I look back down, reading more. Restaurant assets, partnership agreement. . . “And what is it for?”
“You,” he says. “But only if you want it.” He gives me a moment to process what he’s telling me, then continues. “I don’t want to control your life or your dreams. What I want, more than anything, is to watch you thrive in your passion. You’ve made me realize I have a dream of my own. My own goals and aspirations. You allowed me to break free from the life I was barely surviving. And I don’t know how I will ever repay you. But, I think this is a good start.”
“You bought me a restaurant?” The words sound unreal coming out of my mouth.
“I bought a space that used to be a restaurant. It failed, so they sold but left all the equipment behind. I know you don’t need my help. I have faith you can do this on your own and in your own time. I’m here for you whenever you decide to get back on that horse, but I don’t want you to wait too long. You have too much talent not to pursue it.”
“You bought me a restaurant,” I repeat.
“I’m giving you a chance to be who you’re meant to be. What you do with it is on you. You cook like shit, on you. You decide to turn it into a meth lab, on you.” I snap out of my shock long enough to smack him in the chest. “My point is, I love seeing you in your element. I want you to be happy.”
“You. . .” I still don’t know what to say. Tears rush down my cheeks. “You bought me a restaurant?”
“Again, only if you want it. Are those happy tears or mad tears? I’m not sure how you’re taking this. Shit, you’re mad. Fay, this isn’t me controlling you. It’s me offering you a stepping stone—”
“Shut up.” Shit. My emotions are running rampant. I close my eyes, my heart slamming against my chest. I hiccup a sob and throw myself at him, jumping into his arms. He stumbles backward, almost falling over. “I love you, Theo Monroe. For being so brave and strong. Gentle and caring. And seeing me for me.” I press my lips to his and kiss him until I make myself dizzy. “Thank you for believing in me. My cooking. That I could even conjure up a potential meth lab.” We both chuckle, and I brush my lips back over his. “I don’t know how to react to this. It’s crazy and scary and exciting and what if I fail?”
“I believe in you.”
“Even if it’s a meth lab?”
“Even if it’s a meth lab.” He pulls me closer, tightening his grip on my butt. “It’s all yours, but I will tell you there’s one stipulation.”
“What’s that?”
