“That’s a quiche. They’re tasty, but not the same thing.”
“Oh,” I said, my gaze slipping.
Theo’s hand shot to my chin. “Don’t you dare.”
“What?”
“You wouldn’t let me be hard on myself last night—”
I giggled like an eight-year-old at a fart joke. “You said hard.”
Theo rolled his eyes, a chuckle slipping out.
“I’m serious,” he said, his gaze hardening. “If I don’t get to be mean to my toothpick of a frame, you don’t get to mock your mind. You are an amazing guy, Jer. Don’t you dare forget that.”
Why are my eyes wet? What the fuck?I blinked a few times. They got wetter.
Theo scooched up and kissed my left eye, then my right.
“I’ve got you, Jer. You’re okay.”
I gulped back whatever irritating shit had lodged in my throat and struggled to stare into his stupid, caring eyes. Why did he have to be so damned perfect?
“Can we talk about something?” he asked, his tone shifting.
I turned to face him and propped myself up on one elbow. “Sure. Whatever you want.”
He looked away, suddenly hesitant, suddenly shy Theo again.
“I’m scared of this court hearing.”
“The adoption?”
“Yeah.” He looked back at me. “I mean, I’m already Debbie’s dad. No court can change that. Still, it feels like such a big step, like a world-changing thing for both of us.”
I let that hang in the air a moment, waiting for him to continue. When he didn’t say any more, I asked, “That’s scary? Being with Debbie forever, legally, scares you?”
“No, of course not. I love Debbie more than anything, more than I ever knew anyone could love another person. She’s everything. It’s just . . . I don’t know . . . it’s all so . . . big.”
“I don’t get it,” I said. “If you love her and want to be her dad, what’s so scary? Nothing’s really changing, right?”
Theo’s eyes were fixed on mine, but I could tell he wasn’t really looking at me. His gaze was far away.
“I guess.” He blew out a breath. “I don’t know. What if something goes wrong? Maybe I’m scared the judge will say ‘no’ or someone will show up and object or Debbie will change her mind—”I didn’t mean to laugh. It just happened. I cursed myself inwardly for letting my stupid mouth open.
“Sorry, it’s not funny,” I said.
“What were you thinking? I could use a laugh.”
“Debbie change her mind?” I couldn’t have sounded more incredulous. “Have you seen how that little girl worships you? You’re her dad, Theo. In her mind and heart, in her tiny little soul. You, Theo Jamison, are her father, and no court or law or anything will ever change that. If you can’t see that, you’re dumber than I am.”
“Hey!” He jabbed my ribs with a stiff finger. “None of that, remember.”
“Right, sorry,” I mumbled.
“I know I’m being stupid. It just feels like I’m standing on a cliff, looking down, and it’s a really, really long drop. I know I’ll be okay, but the jump is still really scary.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just reached over, grabbed Theo, and pulled him into me, so his head returned to that spot below my chin. He nuzzled and wrapped his arm around me, just like he’d done before. I squeezed him with all my strength, hoping he knew, with that simple touch, that he wouldn’t go through this alone.
