She tilted her head far back to peer up into his face, her ponytail hanging down her back. The bubble she had been blowing popped like an eruption…
Right toward Theron’s face.
He let it hit him. I know he did.
The Ancient now had little pieces of pink gum plastered to his bronze features and a few pieces at the edges of his honeyed color hair. He reached up a hand as the girl froze, and leaned toward her, bringing his body just a little closer to grab napkins on the counter behind where she rested. Instead of wiping his own face off first, he handed her the napkin, and commented softly, “There’s more on you than me.”
The poor girl didn’t even move, bubble gum stuck all around her mouth in a lopsided circle. She blinked slowly, and sputtered, “Uh… I… You… S-sorry.”
One side of Theron’s lips curled up. “It’s okay. Take the napkin. There’s more behind you too.”
She spun so fast to place her back to him that she jammed her shoulder into his chest. And she didn’t even notice as she clutched at napkins and hurried to wipe the bubble gum off her face. Her cheeks turned the most brilliant red I have ever seen in my entire life, her gaze aimed right at the pizza boxes on the counter.
On the other hand, Theron was calm and collected as he eyed the back of her head while he picked off pieces of gum from his cheeks. His nose. It was everywhere.
I cleared my throat. “How much do we owe you?”
She grabbed the small, iridescent receipt and shoved it in my direction, merely holding it out in the air.
If she wanted me to help her, I already had.
Once this girl turned eighteen, Lord help her.
Theron plucked the receipt from her hand. He placed his silver bracelet against it, stating, “Authorize payment: Theron King approved. Tip amount: two hundred units.”
The girl’s back stiffened at the impressive tip he had just given her—for pizza delivery. She shoved the dirty napkins into her pockets, and ever so slowly, turned back around. She sucked in a large lungful of air and then peered up into Theron’s face once more.
Without a tremor in her voice, she mumbled, “Thanks. That’s respectable of you.”
And yet…she said it as if she didn’t mean it.
Theron gazed at her curiously.
I stepped forward, grabbed the receipt from his hand, and gave it back to her. “Thank you. Do you need me to walk you out?”
“No, I’m fine.”
I was a little doubtful because Finn’s house was enormous, but I nodded and didn’t question her. “Have a wonderful day.”
“Yeah, you too.”
She practically sprinted out of the kitchen.
Theron watched her until he couldn’t see her any longer, and then he tilted his head…listening to her run away.
I muttered, “Let me know if she gets lost.”
