Who the hell knows where Amelia is. I don't keep tabs on her, but I seem to sense when she's present in the house.
When I'm done washing my dish in the sink, I take a look outside in the backyard.
The Jacuzzi bubbles are going wild but no one is sitting in it. Amelia must have warmed it up to come back to it later tonight.
Looks like I've been ignoring her for long enough. I could use an hour of nice Amelia right about now.
It'sbeenunusuallyquietin the house. Almost like everyone is tiptoeing around waiting for a landmine to explode. Even my dad is giving me space.
I'm grateful for my short shifts at Roasted because it gives me an excuse to leave the house. But wow, being on your feet isn't the same when you're practically middle-aged. The Jacuzzi has been a lifesaver, and I need it now more than ever to soak my weak muscles.
When I reach the Jacuzzi, I see Theo sitting in the same spot he took when he first came home.
My heart flutters when we make eye contact.
"Hi." My tone is flat and evokes zero happiness. I'm unsure how I should treat him. Is he still mad at me? Is he over it? Maybe I'm still mad at him?
"Are you kicking me out?" he assumes.
"No, unless you want to be alone?"
"You can join if you want."
"Gosh thanks, considering Ididturn it on."
"What? You're turned on?" Theo cups his ear like he didn't hear me.
Okay, so we are going to pretend things are fine. I can do this. He holds the metaphorical broom, and I can lift that rug up just so.
"Theo you are full of jokes," I deadpan.
I slowly step into the water so I don't fall in like last time. Theo even reaches out a hand as a guide, but I wave him off.
"Thank you, but I'm fine. No alcohol in me this time."
I let my body sink into the hot water and immediately feel my skin ignite.
It's hotter than I expected. I fix the bun on top of my head so my neck is free from any stragglers. My breasts are forced together as I make a messy topknot. Unless he looked away, I don't catch Theo watching me like I expected him to.
"This water feels amazing," I practically moan and immediately realize my mistake. That sounded sexual and the type of atmosphere I'm trying to avoid. Even with Theo sitting across from me, bare-chested with his perfect forearms, I need to keep my attention elsewhere.
"…Despite the company," I tack on as a joke.
Theo humors me and offers a forced smile.
"Are you going to be in here long?" he asks.
"Why, already wishing I was gone?"
"No, I might get a beer."
He exits the Jacuzzi and runs his fingers through his wet hair, slicking it back. He has such impressive shoulders. His biceps are nice, too. Okay, I love the whole package.
"Want anything?"
"Oh." I'm taken aback at his kind offer. "I really didn't want to drink tonight."
"Why not?"
