Number 1: Trustworthy
If I hadn’t trusted Theo before this fiasco, I know I can now. He’s proven to me that he’s not going to turn my life upside down without being there to help me right it again.
With that in mind, I pull back a little until I can see his face. Even in the darkness, I can make out Theo’s features and his soft eyes as he studies me. I can see how he is hurting, too. Hurting for me.
“Hi,” I whisper to him.
Theo’s hand comes up to the side of my face, and he strokes his thumb over my cheek so gently that I almost don’t feel it. “Hi.”
I swallow, my throat and tongue feeling thick. I could use some water. Crying always seems to dehydrate me more than anything. “What time is it?”
“Almost five-thirty.” Theo shifts a little, glancing at his expensive wristwatch. “I should probably get going soon.”
I exhale, defeated. “Yeah. I’ll need a shower. Do you think we could stop and get coffee?—”
“Whitney,” Theo cuts me off by saying my name. His voice is so tender that it halts me in my tracks and derails whatever I am about to say. I look up at him with wide eyes. Something flits across Theo’s face, regret maybe, before he says, “I think you should take the day off.”
“What?” I ask, shocked. “But I can’t. We have the meeting coming up, and all those reports have to get finished.”
“I can handle it,” he says, running his hand down my face again. “I just don’t think the office is where you need to be today. Take the day, do something fun—maybe see if Leila is available for a spa day or something.”
“She’s in school,” I say woefully.
“Well then, just take yourself.” He looks at me earnestly. “Whatever you want to do, I’ll pay for it.”
“Theo,” I start to protest, but he shuts me up again by leaning down and pressing a kiss to my lips. This is the first time he’s ventured into a real kiss since the whole debacle. And I missed him. I sigh happily against him, shifting on the bed until we’re closer together. He wraps me up in his arms and holds me like I’m the most precious thing to him.
When we pull apart, my lips feel swollen. Theo’s brown eyes are gleaming with desire, but I sense that he’s not going to request more of me this morning.
“I’ll leave one of my cards on the counter,” he tells me. “Do whatever you want to do today, and then I’ll come back over tonight, and maybe we can talk some more if you have any other questions. How does that sound?”
I nod, still a little unsure of what to do with this gift. I can’t remember the last time I was ever awarded a day off that wasn’t a holiday. “Sure.”
He kisses me again before rolling out of bed and staggering into my bathroom. I note the shower turning on and contemplate going in to join him. A part of me feels desperate for a shower to help wash away the tears of last night. But I don’t. I curl up into my pillows and close my eyes.
I must doze off again because I jolt awake when Theo’s lips touch my forehead. I moan and shift a little so I can see him better.
“I’m leaving, baby,” he whispers. “Just text me if you need anything today, okay?”
I nod and reach my arms up around his shoulders, drawing him down into a hug. He buries his face in the crook of my neck and breathes me in. After a moment, he untangles himself and then kisses me one more time before sneaking out of my room.
The bed feels lonely now without him. I reach my hand across the mattress, already finding the space where he was lying cold from the time it took him to shower and get ready to leave. I bury my face in my pillows, trying to ward off the familiar burn in my eyes.
When I finally emerge from my bed a few hours later, I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck. I draw myself a hot bath and let myself soak in the warm water, feeling some of the tension release from my shoulders and neck.
After drying off, I manage to find some of my comfiest clothes and shuck them on before wandering out of my bedroom and into the main living space of my apartment. Myeyes immediately find the vibrant purple orchid sitting on my kitchen counter. The sight makes my chest ache, and I wander over to it, my fingers gently stroking over the smooth petals.
Right next to the pot is a black Amex card and a scribbled note from Theo.
Whit,
Take care of yourself today. Do whatever your heart desires. I can’t wait to see you again tonight. I’ll be counting the minutes.
Love,
Theo
I trace the letters of his sign-off, unable to fight the smile forming on my face. If this were any other man, I’d take the instruction with a grain of salt, but I know Theo means every word, and he wouldn’t leave his card for me if he didn’t.
