“Tell me the truth. Did you snoop through my stuff?” Theo started to answer, but she held up her hand. “I’m not ashamed to admit I snooped in your house that first day.”
He opened his eyes and rolled his head toward her with that eyebrow of his quirked in amusement. “Find anything?”
“Just your subscription to Mommy Milkers Monthly.” She wrinkled her nose when he laughed. “Seriously. Aside from your adorable standing lunch date with your grandma, you do nothing besides work.” She turned to smile at him, expecting him to laugh, but he was looking at her without a smile.
“I found these,” he said, reaching down to the side of the bed. He pulled up the sack of bills, the cellophane loud in the silent bedroom.
Amber’s heart thudded to a stop. “Those are private.” Shame flooded her, seeing the tangible example of her many failures in Theo’s capable hands, and her anger kicked in full force. “You have no business looking through my private things,” she snapped.
Theo’s expression didn’t change. “Your neighbor came over to check on you too.”
“Sandy? I remember that.”
“No,” Theo said quietly. “Valentine Monroe. We had a long talk about how you’ve been helping her mom and sister get by for the last year. She asked me if I had any job openings.”
Amber’s eyes flashed. “Don’t you dare hire her. Val’s graduating soon. She needs to focus on her future, not financial worries.”
Theo just looked at her, and she suddenly felt very, very exposed. “Is that where all your money’s been going? Why did you let me think you were irresponsible?”
She sighed and closed her eyes again. “I’m tired.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s none of your business. I’m taking care of it.”
“That’s why you needed an advance on your paycheck.” He wasn’t asking her, but she nodded anyway.
“And your car? It’s still not fixed? And the AC unit?” He nodded to the window. “Your empty fridge.”
She kept her eyes closed and just nodded. “Yes,” she said simply. “I’m catching up now, but yes.” Finally saying it out loud was a relief. Like it wasn’t some hush-hush thing she had worried about over the last year. She would always look after Val, Holly, and Sandy, but it felt good to acknowledge the weight of it with someone else. “She’s just a kid. I want her to go to college in the fall and make sure she does something with herlife. I don’t want her to have to worry about money or have to work and leave Holly alone. Anything could happen to either of them. I’ve just been helping out when I can. You’re more than generous with my salary and things are a lot better now. Truthfully, I forgot I had stuffed those in the couch.”
Theo was looking at her thoughtfully. It made her nervous to think of all the layers he was so good at seeing through. “Why give up on your own dreams in the process?”
She sighed. “It’s a pattern for me. As soon as I get close to success, I sabotage myself. School, jobs, anything important to me, I find a way to derail it.”
“Why is that?” he prodded quietly.
“I don’t know. It’s certainly not genetic. My family is full of go-getters. I’m the only one who can’t keep my life on track.” She tried hard not to let the old hurt and frustration seep into her voice, but it came out anyway.
“So you spend your money and time making sure Val doesn’t make the same mistakes.” Theo murmured, studying her bare face. “What would you do differently if you had the chance?” he asked abruptly.
She didn’t even have to think about it. “I’d chase what I love and not worry so much about failing.”
“And what is it you love?”
He was oddly intent as he studied her face, which was the only reason she didn’t say something flippant. Admitting her biggest dream out loud to the world was something she hadn’t done before. The vulnerability of it made her slightly queasy. “I’d open a clothing boutique...and sell my designs there.” She was suddenly, unbearably, self-conscious with her dream hanging in the air.
Theo was silent. And then he nodded. “I have no doubt you’d be a success at anything you are fully committed to.”
The air seemed to have left the room. She was lightheadedfor a minute, absorbing those words like a diver sucking in precious air, until she mentally shook herself back to reality. She reacted the way she always did, with a deflection. “Anyway, that was fun baring my soul, Mr. Golden Boy. It’s your turn. Time for truth or dare.” She raised her eyebrow at him in challenge.
Theo’s eyes narrowed. “I’m in your bed. I think it’s time you called me Theo.”
Amber winked. “Don’t count on it. What’s it going to be? Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he said immediately.
“Why do you listen to Neal when you know I’m right about your campaign?”
