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Wanting to change the subject, I decided to take a chance and ask him the question that had been lingering in the back of my mind. “Theo, during the next break, I was wondering if I could go back to the United States with you.”
“Seriously?”
“I’m sorry. That’s forward. I shouldn’t be inviting myself.”
“No! That would be great.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. Now I was worried. I felt self-conscious.
Theo’s brows furrowed slightly. “The question is, are you sure, Emilie? I mean, have you talked to your father about it? I don’t want to break any rules and cause any more problems for you.”
I nodded. “Yes, I did. He agreed under one condition, though. I have to do an interview for a news station on the last day I’m there.”
Theo’s eyes lit up with excitement, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “That sounds amazing! I’d love to show you around where I live. You’ll get to see a different side of my world. Trust me, there are almost no rules. You’ll get to be free. No makeup, no dresses. Nothing you don’t want to do. You can wear jeans and no shoes if you want.”
I laughed. “Now, you’re just teasing me.”
“It’s exactly what it’s like. We have a nice pool, and the weather is warm. Probably hot compared to what you’re used to. The property is nice and big with plenty of privacy. Most people don’t know who we are. You’re not going to have to worry about peeping paps.”
“It sounds like heaven,” I said, sighing.
“I think it’s pretty close.”
I felt a mixture of anticipation and nervousness at the idea of visiting Theo’s home. It was a big step, and I couldn’t deny that my feelings for him were growing stronger with each passing day. It was probably a little risky. Risky to my heart because I was going to keep falling for him. He was going to hurt me if I wasn’t careful.
As we arrived at the stadium, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much things had changed between Theo and me. We had gone from being forced partners to having a real connection that held the promise of something deeper—if I let it.
Theo and I walked into the tennis match, hand in hand, ready to put on a united front. The sun was shining brightly, and there was every indication it was going to be a good day. I just had to ignore everything else.
“I’ll be right by your side,” Theo said. “The whole time. If someone says boo to you, tell me. Where I’m from, we aren’t afraid to knock someone on their ass if they’re being dicks. I won’t let anyone make you feel like you’re less than, okay?”
“Thank you, but you don’t have to protect me. You don’t have to shield me from the garbage. It’s never going to stop. It’s part of my life. I’ve never really had to deal with it before. I mean, a little, but the attention was always on Nora. I was able to slide under the radar. I’m understanding more and more why she ran away from home. I get it now.”
“I can’t imagine what it would be like to live under the spotlight,” he said. “Like I told you, we’re pretty immune to all the paparazzi and stuff that happens here.”
“It’s a part of my life,” I said. “I will just be thankful I didn’t have to deal with it as long as Nora did.”
As we walked toward the entrance, I noticed a photographer that often photographed the events for the Golden Society. He had his camera poised and ready to capture the moments of the day. It was customary for matches to be photographed and featured in their pages, showcasing the budding relationships and potential unions. It fueled the gossip. Who looked good together? Who was going to make it down the aisle? Who was already cheating on who?
Theo’s hand tightened around mine, I glanced up at him, a hint of uncertainty in my eyes. He offered me a reassuring smile and pulled me close, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist. Together, we faced the camera with smiles on our faces, portraying an image of unity and connection. No one was going to be looking at us and saying we weren’t going to make it.
The photographer snapped several pictures, capturing us from different angles, our smiles never wavering. That was one thing I did have down well. I could smile through pain, tears, and frustration. My mother taught us that skill from a very early age.
After a few minutes, the photographer lowered his camera and smiled at us. “Thank you both for the wonderful shot. Your pictures will be featured in the upcoming issue of the Golden Society.”
I nodded, offering my gratitude with a polite smile. “Thank you.”
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m good.”
As we continued into the event, Theo kept my hand close. We found seats in the stands. Thankfully, I didn’t see Sophia anywhere.
“You know, I never thought I’d find myself in this situation, attending a tennis match with my match,” I joked.
Theo chuckled, his eyes fixed on the court. “Me either. Do you play tennis?”
“I pretend I play tennis,” I said, laughing. “If I actually hit the ball, I feel like I’ve won.”
