He takes a bite, maintaining eye contact as he chews. “If I had known it would be this fancy, I would have booked a stay long ago.”
I roll my eyes, pouring myself some orange juice.
As I take a sip, he says, “You know, people will talk. Us living together.”
My drink goes down the wrong pipe, and tears well up in my eyes as I launch into a coughing frenzy.
He walks over and taps my back. “You okay?”
I nod, catching my breath. “No one will think that.”
Theo leans in with a mischievous smile. “You’re right. They might think we’re dating.”
He takes a step toward me, and I can feel the heat in my face rise. He’s so close that I can make out the faint golden flecks in his green eyes.Make. . .out. . . my gaze falls to his lips, heart galloping.
“Relax, Chrissy,” he says with a wink. “Just messing with you.”
Wait. Has he already figured out what I’m thinking? No, no, no, that’s impossible. I pull myself together and give him a firm shove, pushing him back a step. “Imagine I’m not here, and I’ll do the same,” I say, my voice higher than usual. “No one can know about this.”
He throws his hands up in surrender. “All right, I’ll try to be a ghost.”
Like that could ever work!
As he walks out of the kitchen with a piece of plain toast in his mouth, my heart still pounds like I danced at the studio for a whole hour. I try to shake it off but to no effect.
His living here is not just troublesome. It’s the mother of all crises.
Chapter 6
Sunday morning is off to a lively start with our families cramming around the breakfast table. Forks scrape against plates and syrup bottles make their rounds.
I’m careful to avoid Theo’s gaze, which isn’t easy with him sitting right across from me, flashing that easygoing smirk whenever our eyes accidentally meet. I get flustered every time and distract myself by arranging my scrambled eggs into neat little piles.
“So, how’s school going, kids?” dad asks, taking a sip of his coffee. “Settling into the routine yet?”
My fork pauses halfway to my mouth. “It’s fine—homework, tests, trying not to fall asleep during history.”
Mom passes the toast my way as I savor my first bite of her delicious eggs. “Any new friends, honey?”
“It’s junior year. Everyone’s circle of friends is pretty much established.”
“What about you, Theo? Fitting in okay?” my dad asks, his expression genuinely interested.
Theo nods, swallowing a mouthful of scrambled eggs. “Yeah, football practice is intense but good. The guys are cool.” He takes a gulp of orange juice, then adds, “Though the cafeteria’s been interesting. Last week, there was this whole thing with spilled milk where—"
My leg shoots out under the table, and I deliver a swift kick to his shin. Theo winces mid-sentence, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Where the, uh, lunch special was actually edible for once," he finishes lamely, rubbing his leg.
I flash him a sharp look, and his facial expression lets me know he gets it.
Our parents don’t need to worry, and I have my own way of handling bullies—pretend I’m not bothered until they give up. It’s worked since elementary school. Mostly.
“The cafeteria food isn’t half bad,” I jump in, redirecting. “Nothing like home cooking, though.” Mom smiles at the compliment.
Theo, however, is trouble in a whole new way, tossing a casual glance my way as he chats with my dad about football season—he looks way too comfortable in my house. He’s the one person in the world who could throw me into the worst bind possible if Paige gets even a whiff of our living situation.
After breakfast, I spend the rest of the day shopping with Stephanie, who’s relentless about Theo. She can’t stop grinning and nudging my shoulder every chance she gets.
