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“Better be all good things,” she eyes me, looking exactly like a cat. But not like Mr. Whiskers. He is a category all his own.
“All good things,” Theo laughs and then turns his focus to me. His eyes open a little wider when he sees me.
Theo’s gaze wanders all over me. I choose to wear the only little black dress I own. The rectangular neckline frames my collarbone and shows just a smidge of cleavage. I have accessorized simply with just my favorite watch, some earrings, and a borrowed pair of Eve’s strappy black heels.
“Hi,” he whispers, and I almost don’t hear him.
“Hey.” I smile, fighting every urge to bite my fingers.
If Eve’s phone didn’t ring, we might have stood there endlessly looking each other over.
“Drat it all to the abyss,” Eve growls. “That’ll be Paul wondering where I’m at.”
“Peter,” I correct her.
Eve goes on dates frequently but isn’t looking for anything serious. Not yet at least. And she does have a bad habit of forgetting her date’s names, even having used the wrong name on more occasions than I can recall.
“Right. Peter. Hopefully, I don’t screw that up.” She grabs my hand, wraps my olive coat over my shoulders, and pushes me toward Theo who is still waiting at the door. “You two have a wonderful time. Love you, Kit Kat.”
Eve practically shoves me into his chest and slams the door behind us.
“Sorry,” I start to mutter but he tilts my chin up to stare down into my eyes.
“Stop apologizing.”
My eyes glance down to his lips. “I’m sorry for apologizing so much.”
His mouth twitches. “What am I going to do with you, Catalina?”
Kiss me. I hope, but that isn’t how my life works.
“Drat it all to the abyss!” Eve shouts inside.
I turn my face to the door and Theo drops his hand from my chin. “She said the wrong name.” I shrug.
“How can you be so sure?” He stares at the door.
“I saidPeter, Peter. You just heard Paul. Maybe its our connection. You know how these cell towers are.” She rattles on as she runs around the apartment. “Right, I’ll be there. I swear, I’m walking out my door as we speak.”
I shake my head and Theo laughs. “You ready?”
I nod and follow him to his car. Now to remember everything he has told me about his family so I can pass as his girlfriend.
“Your father’s name is Steven; he’s retired and loves to fish.” I close my eyes and recite everything Theo has told me about his family members. “Your mother, Athena, is from Greece, lovesThe Lord of the Rings, is the best cook, and will deem it rude if I refuse food. Your brother, Caleb, is two years older than you and is engaged to Sarah who is originally from Hawaii. He’s a lawyer like your father and she is in I.T.” I tick a fifth and sixth finger, exhaling a panicked breath. “Your sister is four years younger than you and is a nurse. Her boyfriend, Liam, played baseball in college and now owns a gym. They’ve been dating for six years, and an engagement is expected soon.”
I open my eyes and glance at Theo. He is smiling like I have said something hilarious.
“What?”
“I’m impressed.” He glances over at me. “I’d leave that last bit about the engagement out of the conversation though. Unless you want to see my mother clutch her heart and moan about Tess wasting her childbearing years.”
“Your sister is two years younger than me.”
“And?”
“If your sister is wasting her childbearing years, your mother is going to look at me like I’m a dried up well.” I bounce my head back against the headrest three times.
Theo reaches across the center console and grabs my hand. He squeezes. I hate to admit how much I love the feel of his hand on mine. It is strong yet gentle, and I feel a sense of calm rush over me.
