“No, it’s not that,” I cut in. “I saw… When we went to leave, Isaw my mom’s friend in the crowd. Mrs. Crenshaw. I think she saw the whole thing.”
His body goes rigid beside me, hands tightening on the wheel. His jaw clenches so hard I hear it pop. He doesn’t move, doesn’t blink. Doesn’t even breathe.
I wait. Seconds drag like hours and I don’t dare speak again. He seems so fragile in this moment. Like he’s holding back his emotions, trying not to break open.
Finally, he exhales, the sound sharp enough to make me wince. His gaze finds mine, and the fear I see there almost knocks the air from my lungs.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Soph.” He shakes his head, voice hoarse. “It’s not your fault. I just…” He trails off with a sigh, and I reach for his hand, squeezing it tight.
“There’s no way she knows who you are. It’ll be fine. You’re just some stranger at a fair.”
He nods slowly, but the unease in his eyes doesn’t fade. “I hope so.”
He throws the car into drive, and we pull out, heading toward home. Hopefully his. I don’t ask, though. I’m scared of the answer. What if tonight broke something? What if he drops me off and just disappears?
But we turn onto the familiar road, the one that leads to his place, and I spot the soft curve of his smile as his headlights hit the garage.
Relief floods through me. He didn’t let go. He’s still here.
We pull in and the garage door shuts behind us. He rounds the car before I can move, opening my door like always. One of a thousand little things he does for me without thinking. Gentleman instincts. Or maybe justTheoinstincts.
Inside, Winnie bounds over in a blur of brown fur. I crouch down, letting him lick my hands, grateful for the distraction.Theo lets him out into the backyard, then disappears into the kitchen.
When he returns, he hands me a cold bottle of water. I take it, watching him out of the corner of my eye. He’s moving too fast, his shoulders tight and his breathing shallow.
“Thank you,” I murmur, trying to catch his gaze.
He won’t look at me. Just keeps tidying invisible messes in the living room. Straightening papers, adjusting a coaster. Nervous energy rolls off of him in waves that permeate through the room.
“Hey…” I step closer. “You alright?”
He finally stops, dragging a hand down his face. “Yes, Trouble. I’m okay.”
He turns to me. “The real question is, are you? I should be focused on you, not my own worries.”
“I’m okay,” I say. “You saved me. Again.”
His brow lifts. “Again?”
“The night of the party, remember?”
His expression shifts, softening. Sadness flits across his face. “I will always save you, Trouble. Though I’d prefer not to have to. I’d rather keep you here, safe. Always out of harm’s way.”
A flush creeps up my neck, and I smile. “I’d like that, too.”
He steps closer, his voice lower now. “And if Cole so much as likes a post of yours again, you tell me. I’ll take care of it. Ofyou.”
There’s something dark in the promise, protective and feral, and I melt under the weight of it. No one has ever defended me like this. No one has everseenme like this, or even cared to try.
“Hopefully, I’ll never have to see him again.”
I move into Theo’s space, winding my arms around his waist. His wrap around me instantly, pulling me against his chest. He smells like home.
“Soph…” he murmurs into my hair. “Do you think your mom’s friend will say something?”
I hesitate. “Honestly, I don’t know.” I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. “But even if she does, I’d never tell anyone it was you.”
