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Salvatore said I had to be a virgin on my wedding night. I’m starting to think that might not happen.
And I don’t even care.
Let him judge me. Let everyone judge me.
I’m getting my chance to be with Theo, and I’m taking it.
CHAPTER 12
Cecilia
After Theo drops my mom off at home, he takes me to church—a.k.a., his apartment. I’m practically bouncing for joy that I finally get to see where Theo lives. I’ve always imagined it. a cute little New York apartment. Maybe industrial. Maybe it’s decorated in all black. Theo looks like a man who loves the color black. Maybe, maybe, maybe … So many maybes. But now I’m getting the chance to actually see it for myself, and that maybe is going to become reality.
Theo reaches over and squeezes my knee on the drive. It’s like we’re a real-life couple. Just a typical boyfriend taking his girlfriend to his apartment.
“Theo,” I say, placing my hand on his, “what are we exactly?”
“What do you mean?”
I try to keep myself from blushing. I feel like a little girl asking this, but I need to know. “Are we boyfriend and girlfriend? Is that what you would call us?”
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
“I asked you first.”
He tosses me an easy smile. His smiles feel so special to me because he rarely does it. “Yeah, I’d be happy for you to be my girlfriend.”
“Then I want that, too,” I blurt out.
“Why didn’t you tell me that?”
I stare out the window as I reply, “Because … you have a lot more experience than I do. I’ve never done this. I didn’t want to sound dumb.”
“Hey, Cecilia, look at me.” I do. “You’re not dumb, ok? It’s not stupid to talk about these things. In fact, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about relationships, it’s that you need to talk about these things. What we have may be unconventional, but I know it’s right. And I know I want to be with you, no matter what. So, yeah, we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. You can talk to me about anything. Ok?”
“Ok.” I lean over and kiss his cheek.
“What was that for?” The smile in his voice warms my heart.
“For being you. There’s a reason I liked you for so long. I could sense what a good person you are.”
“I hope I live up to your standards.”
“And more.”
We’re silent the rest of the drive, content just to be with each other. No talk about my impending marriage or Salvatore or Antonio. Just us, on a drive to Theo’s apartment. Like a normal boyfriend and girlfriend.
Theo pulls into a parking garage below a skyscraper. “Here we are.” He leads me upstairs to his apartment, which turns out to be ultra-sleek and modern. Not exactly what I’d expected for Theo.
He catches my look. “You don’t approve?”
“No, I do. I was just expecting something more …”
“Grungy? Cabin-like? What?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “No, it’s perfect. Despite knowing you for years, you still surprise me.”
“Well, your mom pays me a good salary. I can afford a nice apartment like this.” He kisses me. “Now, enough talk. You were teasing me at the cake tasting today. It’s time to pay up.”
