Part 9 (1/2)

Our eyes fastened-clinked. And when they did, it was hard to look away.

Man, he was truly a beautiful sight to see-a sight for sore eyes as they say. His gaze traveled down to my lips, lingering there for just a moment before he tore them away, picking up his margarita and turning for the potato salad again.

”Well, how about we eat and forget about reality for just a little while. I was told food is a good way to comfort the soul.”

I agreed with a nod. ”Sure. Let me go wash my hands really quick. I'll be back, I swear.” His eyebrows rose, amused by my last remark. I was out of the kitchen, mentally cursing at myself for the last thing I said. ”You'll be back?” I muttered under my breath once entering the bathroom. What the h.e.l.l did I even mean? Where else are you gonna go?

I gripped the edges of the cool porcelain counter, staring at myself in the mirror. Familiar hazel eyes sparkled from the lighting above, the pit of my belly still fluttering.

I felt... different. Relieved? Perky? I don't know. I just know I felt totally different here than I did in my own house. Like all of my worries had vanished for a while and nothing mattered but the food, drinks, and... Theo.

Just Theo.

Always Theo.

Duh, Theo!

Shaking my head swiftly, I turned the k.n.o.bs and stuck my hands beneath the stream of water. I then brought my wet hands to my face, rubbing beneath my eyes and looking at myself again.

It's just dinner, Chloe. It's just dinner. Get over yourself.

Shutting off the water, I dried off my hands and then walked out again. Theo wasn't in the kitchen when I returned. Frowning, I called his name, and he responded from the deck, his voice a short distance away. It was then that I noticed our drinks weren't at the counter. Nor were our plates or the food. I walked out, my bare feet landing on the smooth wood.

He sat at the round table in the corner, the food set up with two China plates across from each other.

”Figured we could eat out here. Feels good tonight.”

I looked from him to the stars in the sky, gripping the door handle. The wind bristled by me, flowing through my hair, wrapping me up in its comforting breeze. It was a very good night to eat outside, so I walked ahead, taking the seat across from him.

He had a smile on his lips, observing me as I got comfortable. ”What?” I laughed.

”Nothing.” He pressed his lips, picked up a fork, and stuck it into one of the steaks, placing it on my plate. ”Help yourself to whatever.”

I browsed my selection, eyes moving from the potato salad to the green beans and then the yellow rice. I helped myself to the rice and green beans, deciding to eat the potato salad last.

”Actually,” Theo said, and when I looked up he was still peering at me, gaze inquisitive. I straightened my back, becoming insecure as he scanned me. ”I just wanted to let you know that you look great tonight. Really great. I'm digging this modern hippie thing you have going on.”

”Oh.” I bit a smile, digging my fork into the green beans. ”Uh, thank you.” See, I knew someone would love it. Mariah hated how I dressed, and Izzy didn't understand the choices I made whenever we shopped, but Theo liked it. My heart went wild.

He nodded and cut into his steak. Our talking during dinner was minimal. Other than the music he had playing from the sound system in the living room, we hardly spoke.

We did chat about little things, like other meals he'd learned how to make, how he now had more than enough employees at his shop to run it, and how he didn't even have to work at the shop himself anymore. He was very proud about that. He'd finally made it to a position in life where he could do what he wanted all day long, and still make money. I was proud of him for it. It was all he ever used to talk about. His shop. His dreams. It was great.

After dinner, we went to the kitchen for another round of margaritas, and I even had a slice of key lime pie he'd prepared. It was delicious. That cooking hobby of his worked out wonderfully.

I finally checked the time on my cell phone when our gla.s.ses were empty and our pies half-eaten. It was nearing 11 PM. I couldn't believe how quickly time had pa.s.sed. Although it was a little awkward at first and, yes, there was an oversized elephant in the room, I had a great time. I refused to speak on said elephant. Speaking on it was a risk, one I didn't want to take. I didn't want to ruin such a great night.

”Wow,” I breathed. ”It's getting late. I should get going. Check on my dad.”

”Right-s.h.i.+t, yeah.” I was sure he meant to sound enthusiastic, but his tone was far from it. It was somewhat deflated. I detected the defeat in his eyes, how my absence would soon bring back loneliness. I hated it, but this was no excuse. Although Margie was there, I wanted to check on Dad myself. She needed a break, some sleep after dealing with him all day long.

”I can... maybe swing by sometime later this week? Bring some pizza or something. I won't attempt trying to cook,” I laughed.

He rubbed his forehead as he followed me to the garage door. ”Yeah, sure. Just let me know. My schedule is pretty clear now. Don't do too much these days.”

I stepped into my sandals and then walked out. The light was now off in the garage. I stepped into the night, but I could still see him from the lights s.h.i.+ning from the kitchen and hallway.

”I will definitely let you know.” I took a step back, almost stumbling on my own two feet. He caught me before I hit the shelf next to me, holding onto my elbow. ”Careful,” he murmured.

My breath caught in my throat, the proximity depleted. He was standing right in front of me, his hand still on my arm, now working its way down. It was unintentional, I was sure, but it didn't prevent my body from heating up, my core from constricting.

He looked at my lips again, wanting so badly to steal a taste, but before I knew it, his hand was no longer on my arm and he'd taken a step back. His eyes were still soft, mellow, and full of a soft, blazing fire. His pink lips moved, fixing in a way that was all too familiar to me. I don't think he could help it anymore. He wanted to do what was going to happen next ever since he set eyes on me in the market.

It truly was unexpected.

He leaned forward and placed a smooth, slightly damp kiss on my cheek.

”I'll see you soon, Chloe.” His voice was deep, humming right to my panties, his mouth only a few millimeters away from my ear.

”See you, Theo,” I whispered, brown irises holding hazel. Finally, I tore them away and turned around, stumbling out of the garage and hurrying across the street before I did something drastic. I took a glance back when I met at my front door.

He was still there, standing inside, only a few inches away from the garage door. From the streetlights, I could see him smiling beneath that well-trimmed goatee. One of his hands was in his pockets, the other on the wall in front of him where the switch was.

I said goodbye with a small wave, opened my front door, and before I could shut it, I heard his garage gate close, guarding me from his presence.

I didn't see him the next day.

But I did see him the day after that... and he wasn't alone. All the giddiness I felt from the dinner we shared to that small peck on my cheek immediately disappeared when I saw the same blonde girl pull up to his house in a white Honda with pink rims.

I stood at my window, staring out, waiting to see what would happen next. They came back out of the house together, hopping into his Charger and taking off. They left around seven that night and didn't come back until midnight.

When they arrived, I heard his car pull up. I frantically climbed out of bed, watching as he kissed the girl goodbye through her car window. She pulled out of the driveway, leaving Primrose, though I was sure it was just for the night.

This time, my curtains had been pulled aside, and I may have purposely kept them that way to see when he'd return. I continued my watch. He entered the house, a few lights flashed on, and then the bedroom light came on.

What I did not expect was for his blinds to open, and for him to be standing right there. Right at the window, looking right at mine. Gasping, I backed away, pressing my back to the wall.

Did he see me? Know I was watching?

I didn't know.

I dared another look, and saw him still standing there, his head in the tilt he normally held it in. Innocent. Curious. He'd gone without a s.h.i.+rt, the jeans he wore hanging low on his hips, showcasing two slices of a delicious V.

My brows knitted. I wasn't sure if he could see me. He left the window, and I waited. Seconds later, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I looked towards it, heart slamming still. Walking back, I picked it up but went back to the window. He was there again, the phone to his ear.

And then it hit me. I looked down at the person's name that flashed on my screen. Mr. Black. Surprised, my heart caught speed, and I answered, my voice soft. ”Mr. Black?”

”Hey Chloe.”