“When did you get this?” she asked, running her finger along the words. The letters were clean and crisp. It couldn’t have been too old.
“Right before I left the States.”
“Well, what does it say?”
“It’s a Greek saying.”
“Okay? And what does it mean?” God, he was being weird, again.
“It’s…it’s personal.”
Dani’s gaze shot to Theo’s. Oh. Personal. In other words, none of her business.
“Sorry, I’m being nosy, aren’t I?” she asked, ducking her head and tucking her wet hair behind her ear.
No response. Point taken. She felt like she’d been punched in the gut.
She slowly lowered his arm. “Well,” she said, backing away, “need anything else?”
“No, I think I’m good.”
“Okey dokey,” she said, giving him a salute as she turned around.Did you seriously salute him?Dani’s entire body recoiled, and she squeezed her eyes tight as she walked toward the door, waiting for him to tease her for it. But no teasing came.
She hated how awkward things were between the two of them. It never used to be like this. Normally, if she did something that cringey, he’d never let her live it down. And she wouldn’t want him to because keeping each other in check was one of the things she appreciated about their connection. It didn’t mean that they didn’t still have their weird personality quirks and annoyances, but she sort of enjoyed his playful ribbings.
This boring-ass shell of their former relationship wouldn’t do.
Dani spun back around right as he was untwisting the button on his pants. “Really?” she said.
He jumped and then froze with his hand on the fly of his pants.
“Jeez, Juicy! You startled me.”
“Sorry, but are you really not going to say anything? I literally saluted you and nothing. Nada.”
“Did youwantme to comment on it?” He looked beyond confused.
Welcome to the club.
“Come on, Theo. That was Grade A cringe and you’re giving me blasé. Give me some sort of emotion!” she said, throwing her hands up in the air.
“Is exhaustion not an emotion?” he asked, hanging his head to the side.
“No, Theo! It’s not!”
“Well, can we pretend it is then?” he asked, his weariness palpable. “Because it’s been a really long fucking year, and whileI’d love to make fun of you for being a gigantic dork, I also just really want to get this oil off me.”
If Dani hadn’t already gotten clean, she would have wrapped her arms around him and given him a hug. Being practically alone for a year surely did a number on him. Of course he wouldn’t be joking around like the good ole times.
But at least he acknowledged the dorkiness of her salute.
“Thank you,” she said.
He wrinkled his nose. “For what?”
“For calling me a dork.”
He shook his head and smiled. For now, she’d consider that a win. But his smile was quickly replaced by a glower when he attempted to lift his arm again.
