Not hooking up with Theo?
Not making poor decisions?
Not breaking my own heart again?
I think one out of three is fair. I do not plan on falling for Theo, that much is certain.
Laterthatevening,Ilook over my calendar and see I have the next few days off.
Benny and I will connect soon to discuss the events he wants to throw at Roasted. While this seems like an exciting new adventure, I'm not about to turn this into a career. If it brings in extra money for Roasted, I'll be thrilled. But my plan does not involve living down here for good.
All the careers in my industry are in LA. It's where I belong, even if my job search is on pause. I look around from time to time to ensure I don't miss any rare posting, but I haven't applied in a while. The whole process is exhausting. Researching the company, tailoring my cover letter to meet their needs, applying for the job, and plugging in all the info on my resume in their required fields. I need a break.
So instead of shopping for a job, I'm shopping for clothes I can't afford.
I'm on my laptop adding yet another expensive item of clothing to my cart when a knock echoes in my room.
"Come in." I review the items in my cart but refuse to press the order button.
Theo pokes just his head in and startles me. "Jesus, you're like Jack Torrance inThe Shining."
"Are you in the middle of something?" he asks.
I close my laptop and give him my full attention. "No, what's up?"
"Am I ever going to find out what happens to Ned Stark?"
"Game of Thrones!" I fling back my duvet to escape the claustrophobic bedding with such force I don't even see my vibrator sailing through the air until it's too late.
Theo dives to catch the pink gadget right as I lunge out of bed. I'm a linebacker when I execute a perfect tackle, forcing us both to the floor. We land in a clumsy pile, my face hitting his chest as Theo absorbs most of the impact. My body is flush against his on the carpet, and I wish I fell into a black hole instead.
Inside his left hand sits the little tool that got me through some tough days.
"Give it!" I demand, trying to break his fingers apart so it's back in my possession.
Wow, he's strong. Even with my two hands working to open his clenched fist, he's still overpowering me with his grip strength.
"Theo, give it back!" I straddle him as mortification wafts off my skin like an odor.
He's enjoying this far too much as he puts his free, empty hand behind his head to relax.
I'm unsuccessful with my attempts, and somewhere amid the chaos, my vibrator turns on and starts buzzing.
I'm frozen in horror as we look at his pulsing hand. Theo releases the loudest, hottest laugh I've ever heard in my life, but it's not enough to relieve me of my embarrassment.
Scrambling off his lap, I cover my face with my hands and sit on the edge of my bed.
"This is humiliating," I whine.
"Hey, it's okay." Theo sits beside me and puts his arm around my shoulder.
Except the vibrator is still in his hand,andstill on, so it whirs against my skin. Theo bursts out laughing again, yet every inch of me cringes and withers up like a dying plant.
"Oh my God." I throw myself backward onto my duvet and suffocate myself with a pillow.
"Hey, relax." He removes the pillow and meets me at eye level. "Why use this when I'm across the hall?"
My distress melts away and is replaced with curiosity.
