Theo’s cheeks turn pink as he bursts into laughter. “Well, that’s not something you hear in the first fifteen seconds of meeting someone. Thank you, though.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think that one through. I’m sorry, I’m just a little out of my element here.”
“It’s not exactly a normal element, being the only woman in a housing community full of men.”
“Oh, I’m not the only one. There are two more women upstairs, but they’re quiet, I guess. I just met them.”
“Interesting,” Theo says. “We were told only one person was moving into the villa.”
“What else were you told?” I press.
“That’s it,” he says, sharply. His hands fidget by his side, and his eyes wander, making it known he’s suddenly very uncomfortable.
“Hmm, well, it was very nice to meet you, Theo. Thank you for the fresh muffins.”
“The pleasure is all mine. If you need anything, I’m just next door.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Hey, would you want to—” I don’t know what my facial expression has done to make him abruptly stop speaking, but I’m curious about what he was about to ask.
“Want to what?” I press.
“Never mind. I know you have a lot of adjusting to do today.”
“I was just going to take a walk on the beach if you want to join me?”
“Really?” he says, sounding more eager than I thought he might.
“Yeah, I wanted to go meet some of the other guys I saw out there.”
“Ah, yeah. Sure, I’ll come with you.”
“Awesome.” Leaving the front door open, I jog to the coffee table and place the muffins down before stepping out of the villa. I close the door behind me and follow Theo down the driveway and over toward the arch-gate that leads to the beach.
Theo stretches his arms up in the air and releases an exhaling groan. “So, I should warn you ...”
When someone I just met speaks the words: I should warn you ... it’s a great time to take it as a hint to change my mind, redirect my intentions, and hide in my new bedroom. However, it seems I have a lot to learn here as I follow Theo into a lion’s den of what I will soon learn to be hungry mammals.
“Just take it all in and breathe,” he says.
“Take what all in?” I question.
“The men. Take them all in.”
“What?” I retort, wondering if his statement has a double entendre.
Theo’s eyes grow wide, and he gasps. “Nope, not like that. As a matter-of-fact, I feel the need to warn you not to take any of them in, like that. Just ... get to know them.”
Get to know them.
“Why is that?”
“I have a feeling you’ll find out quite soon, Ashley. Before you find this out though, you should know that I'm one of the good guys. Okay?”
By stating that he’s a good guy, does that mean there are bad guys?
Chapter 5
