“We’re not taking joy in your suffering, Laney, I promise,” Emma says. “It’s just the image of the pig chasing Theo all over the inside of that convertible…”
“The glow of happiness at the idea of him shrieking for his life…” Sabrina agrees.
“Nowhere in that equation is you getting hurt.”
“Or needing to drink that heavily over anything else the rest of the week.”
I wave them both off as I rise. “I’m going in search of beverages to fill our cups. It’s fine. All good. If it makes you happy, Em, then that’s what I’m here for.”
“You both make me happy,” she tells us.
But as I head away, I hear her whisper to Sabrina, “You don’t think there’s any chance he’s pulling his charm routine on Laney, do you?”
“Absolutely not,” Sabrina whispers back. “He wouldn’t cross that line.”
I stiffen, but I keep walking like I didn’t hear.
Idofeel like Theo’s more than I gave him credit for.
And after what happened in the car last night—which I will definitely not be discussing with them now, for sure, or possibly ever—and then how he took care of me while I was drunk, and then waking up plastered all over him, I thought maybe we were finding some common ground.
Especially after his confession that he’s always had to live down to expectations as much as I’ve had to live up to expectations.
But once he left and took forever to come back, and then disappeared to play with the kittens when I didn’t have time to do much more than throw on clothes to come meet Emma for the first event of her wedding that I’ve been to?
I think he’s giving me space to get back to being me.
Or whoever it is I’m trying to become.
Weird stuff happens on vacation.
That’s all.
When we get home, everything will go back to normal.
But I don’t think that’s honestly what I want.
I think what I want is to ask Theo to show me how to have more fun.
And I don’t know yet how to handle that.
Or ask for it.
19
Theo
I mostly keepmyself hidden away in my room until it’s time for the joint bachelor-bachelorette party to start later this afternoon. Not in my nature to stand still, do nothing, go nowhere, but the kittens and their mama are good company, and I catch up on some work.
Like my side hustle. That helps. So does being able to do it anywhere.
But I don’t talk about it.
Certainly not here. Not now.
Here and now, I’m strolling past the pool on my way to tonight’s events, contemplating Laney losing her top yesterday and getting half-hard.
I shouldn’t be falling for her again.
