With that in mind, I find myself at a salon and spa less than an hour later, checking in for a last-minute massage. After my muscles are certifiably jello and my mind much quieter, I go down the street to Uncommon Grounds and get myself a coffee and breakfast.
While I sit, I try my hardest not to let my mind wander back into the dark place thinking about Mr. Peterson and all of his transgressions, but it’s easier said than done. Still, as if my mind is on a constant reel of the past, all I can think about are the good times spent with Mr. Peterson throughout the years. Itmakes my chest feel tight, and my shoulders slowly start inching their way back up to my ears, undoing all the effects of the relaxing massage I had this morning.
I decide I need to do something else. Sitting here and being alone with my thoughts isn’t working. Glancing at my phone, I see it’s almost lunchtime already. Finally, my thoughts turn back to Theo, which I’m much more content with.
I wonder how his day is going, if he’s being productive or finding himself lost in the stacks of work he still has to complete before his big Board review in the next few weeks. It’s so weird not being at the office on a workday. It's weird not being with Theo all day too.
Something deep inside my chest urges me to go see him. I glance at the clock again and then reach for my phone, pulling up the phone number for JT's Pub. Making a quick call, I place an order for both him and myself and then leave the coffee shop to go pick it up.
It’s ready by the time I get there, and I thank them before taking it and making my way to the big eleven-story building where I spend most of my days. I get a few surprised hellos from the front desk workers when they see me walk in in regular street clothes. I wave back and go straight to the elevators, clicking the button for the top floor.
It is strange being here off the clock. Like I’m an outsider looking in.
I walk past my desk, not bothering to glance at the to-do list that I had meticulously prepared for today, deciding it will still be there for me to tackle tomorrow.
I knock twice on Theo’s door and wait for his invitation to enter. When it comes, I open the door and peek my head in. He’s sitting behind his desk, head bowed and curly hair falling forward. Chase stands off to the side of his desk, his finger pointing at something that Theo is reading. Whatever it is, itmust be troubling based on the stern expression on Theo’s face. But when he looks up, that firm expression morphs into something far more desirable.
The man who is quickly becoming my everything sees me walk in, and his eyes light up with emotion that has my heart stuttering in my chest.
With the pure admiration on his face, I can’t help but wonder if I alreadyamhis everything.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, fighting off a smile. It makes my heart do crazy things, that he’s so excited to see me at the office today. Chase is watching the two of us with an amused expression.
I hold up the to-go bag as a way of explanation. “I brought you lunch.”
“That’s my cue to leave,” his brother says before rounding Theo’s desk and walking out of his office. He pats my shoulder twice as he passes me, and I shoot him a tight smile.
Once we’re alone, Theo stands and walks toward me. I set the food on a small table and melt into Theo’s arms as he wraps them tightly around me. He buries his nose in my hair and gives a content sigh once I’m pressed against his chest.
“I decided I couldn’t stay away,” I mutter into his suit jacket.
His chest rumbles with a chuckle as he releases me and raises his hands to cup my jaw. He tilts my face up until I’m staring directly at him. His expression is soft, pleased.
“I’m so glad. It’s been miserable being here today without you. I wasn’t sure I was going to last until tonight.”
With no further fanfare, Theo leans down and kisses me firmly. When he pulls away, he eyes the bag of food I brought. A mischievous smile plays on his lips, and he reaches for it.
“So what did you bring me?”
“Something incredibly unhealthy,” I tease him.
He now grins at me. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Theo leads me over to his desk and brings a chair off to the side so I can sit next to him. After unpacking our food, we both dig in.
As I sit there next to him, stuffing my face with onion rings and a greasy cheeseburger, I feel content. I’m instantly grateful I decided to listen to the urge that was drawing me to be with him.
We make small talk in between bites, and every once in a while, I’ll catch Theo’s eyes on me, something indescribable behind that familiar, warm, chocolate brown. My mind flits back to the note he left me on my counter this morning, and a warm ball ofsomethingblooms into my chest.
I never saw this man coming, but now that he’s here, I don’t think I can ever picture a life without him.
Theo
Nearly a week later,Whitney hurries into my office and closes the door behind her. I catch a glimpse of someone standing at her desk with their arms crossed impatiently over their chest, but I don’t have a chance to get a good enough look to identify them.
I had barely seen her today; both of us swamped with tasks that never seemed to end. It feels almost like a relief to see her. I’ve missed talking to her today. In the back of my mind, I think about maybe suggesting we go to dinner tonight.
But when Whitney spins back around, her face is somewhat pale, setting me on edge. I frown and stand up from my desk. “What’s wrong?”
