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“I really wish you would let me come with you,” he said.
“I’m okay.” I forced a smile again.
We walked to the exit. He insisted on walking me all the way to my car. He opened the door and helped me inside. “I’ll check on you after all this is over,” he said. “Please, drink some water and get some rest. I’m sorry if I’m to blame for this. I didn’t mean to keep you up late.”
“It’s not you,” I said.
“Take care of yourself,” he said.
I nodded, grateful. “I will, Theo. Thank you for being so understanding.”
As the car pulled away, my thoughts were in a jumble. I couldn’t seem to sort out my emotions. The words Sophia had spoken still hung heavy in my mind. I knew I needed to talk to someone, but I didn’t know who to turn to. My mind kept drifting to Theo, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that he was the one I needed to talk to.
I knew he was a good man. He would tell me I wasn’t second best. I knew Theo would tell me how amazing I was and he liked me just the way I was.
So why had I just run away from him?
41
THEO
Iwalked back to my seat, a little irritated with the way things had happened. Sophia leaned forward with her hair brushing over my face. I swatted it away.
“What happened?” she asked.
“She wasn’t feeling well.”
“I hope it wasn’t anything I said.”
“Trust me, Emilie doesn’t care about the gossip,” I said firmly. “She knows she’s the only woman I want to be with. She’s one of the stars this season.”
“I guess if you think so,” she said with a laugh. “Good luck with that.”
I returned my attention to the racing. My thoughts were far from the racehorses thundering past. Emilie’s sudden departure had left an uneasy feeling in my gut. I couldn’t help but worry about her. Her reaction to Sophia’s comment told me she was still thinking she was second rate. I wished there was a way to make her understand she was the only one I wanted. I was glad Nora bolted. I couldn’t imagine I would find the same connection with anyone else.
I wanted Emilie. Period. There was no one else I could see myself with.
I knew what it felt like to live with the fallout of the decisions and expectations of an older sibling. Roman’s choice to break his match put a lot of pressure on me to make mine work. I resented it at first, but now I believed it was all happening for a reason. I didn’t want Emilie to feel that she was merely a replacement for her sister in my life. I wanted her to understand that she was the one I had grown fond of, the one who had captured my heart.
As the races continued, I kept glancing at the empty seat beside me, wishing Emilie were still there. In the midst of my contemplation, I noticed Charles approaching.
“Hey, Theo,” Charles greeted me with a friendly smile. “Where’s Emilie?”
“She wasn’t feeling well,” I said. “She left a bit ago. Where is your lovely lady?”
“With some of her friends,” he said, shrugging. “This isn’t really her thing.”
“Understandable,” I said. “Are you enjoying the races?”
Charles chuckled. “I placed a few bets, but my luck doesn’t seem to be on my side today.”
I laughed. “I don’t know shit about horses or racing. I’ll keep my money in my pocket.”
After another race, Charles and I got up and moved away from the stands.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s just this thing with Emilie.”
