“Two-oh-seven,” the man said. “Theo, by the way. If you forgot.”
He had forgotten.
“Theo. I’m Leonidas.”
“I know.” Theo smiled and peered into the window of the studio. “Is Greyson here?”
“He’s just left.”
Theo made a thoughtful noise and squinted up at Leonidas, using his hand to shield his eyes from the sun.
“What really brings you to town?” Theo asked with a friendly smile. “Is it really Andy?”
The answer to that question wasn’t entirely straightforward, and he didn’t know how well Theo knew Andy or any of Andy’s brothers, and he was hesitant to be forthcoming with anything. It wasn’t that he was leery of strangers, but people in Cherry Creek seemed to be so open and trusting. It was new to him, and he was tired, and he didn’t know how to process the kindness.
“Yes,” he answered. “A little bit, at least.”
“How do you know him?”
“We met in France.”
Theo’s sharp stare scanned Leonidas’s face. Leonidas felt the weight of the appraisal, and he forced himself to take it. He lifted his coffee and took another drink.
“Where are you from?” Theo asked, unfazed by whatever he saw on Leonidas’s face.
“Greece.”
“Obviously. What part?”
“Mykonos,” he said.
“Andy hasn’t been to Greece,” Theo mused.
Leonidas didn’t know what to say to that. He and Andy hadn’t done much talking about where Andy had traveled before or after their time together, and Leonidas realized he’d circled the globe for a man he knew nothing about. He swallowed, his cheeks and throat heating with not so hidden embarrassment. He covered his throat with his hand, like he had an itch or was uncomfortable.
Theo’s eyes narrowed, and Leonidas knew he’d been caught. This man didn’t miss a single thing. Leonidas gave up and shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Are you and Andy friends?” he asked.
Theo scoffed. “That’s not the word I would use. He’s not that fond of me.”
“Why not? You seem likeable enough.”
“I like to think so.” Theo shrugged, but his eyes turned dark. “We got off on the wrong foot. I don’t know what he was like before, but ever since he’s been in Cherry Creek, he’s been a gloomy and cranky mess.”
“Has he?”
“I’m involved with his brother. Well, one of them. The younger one. I mean, he has a lot of younger brothers. Brad. In case that means anything to you, which it probably doesn’t.”
Theo pulled his lips between his teeth and inhaled a deep breath. His face was marred with the expression reserved for the kind of person who knew they knew too much, who knew they talked too much.
“I haven’t met Brad,” Leonidas said.
“Do you have siblings?” Theo asked, continuing his line of questioning.
“I have two sisters, older. Aeliana just had a son, so I’m an uncle now.” Leonidas smiled, thinking of Yiorgos and his pink and puffy cheeks. He realized he hadn’t even told Andy about him, that Theo, this stranger, was the first person he’d talked to about his sister and his nephew.
“Do you have pictures?” Theo asked, stepping closer. “I love babies.”
