“You’re right. I’m very sorry for assuming that was appropriate.”
Noah clears his throat and pulls in a deep breath. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at eleven.”
“Yes, sir. Tomorrow.” I might be biting my lip while trying to look away from him. He’s looking at me like he’s hungry.
What a waste.
The breeze rolling in from the shore offers me a cool walk home. The fresh air is needed after inhaling the aromas of spices, carbohydrates, and baked goods all day. I’m not good at shutting off my hunger game while working around a kitchen, or hot men, evidently.
I turn the corner into the cul-de-sac of villas, finding Theo on his lawn, pruning his bushes. He spends a lot of time outside.
“Hey,” he hollers as I move in closer. “How was work?”
“It was good … aside from slicing my boss’s leg open with a table-scraper.”
“Oh dear God, how is that a thing?”
I like Theo. He’s harmless and personable. He is the only one who has tried to be a legitimate friend to me besides Noah. Though, with Noah, there are definite sparks flying. With Theo, a nice ground has been laid for a friendship to blossom between us. I tap my finger against my chin as I walk closer. I scrunch my nose a bit as I begin to tell him what happened. “I think I might have a teeny, itsy-bitsy crush on him. It’s Noah James. I think you might know him.” I squint my eyes and elongate my flat-lined smile. “It was just his looks at first, but then I found out he was a Marine, and it all went downhill from there.”
“First, don’t do it. He’s here for the reason that does not involve you. Second, how the hell did you slice his leg?”
I tell Theo about the carnival, the woman, Olivia, and her daughter. I tell him how I left him at the carnival, then snubbed him last night when I learned more information about this stupid study they’re all taking part in.
“You sat on his lap … at work?” Theo asks, running his palm against the side of his face. “Oy, no good will come of this.”
“He was having a moment. The woman lost her husband in the war, and Noah lost people too, I guess.”
“So, you sat on his lap …” Theo takes my hand and pulls me over to his front step. He takes a seat and pats the space next to him. “Honey, he’s your boss, right?”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Have you ever watched one of those sexual harassment videos that some companies make you watch, so you know the dangers of acting out-of-line at work?”
“Yeah, I saw one in one of my college classes a couple of years ago,” I tell him. “This was different, though. He likes me. He said all of that first … before I sat on his lap.”
“He’s still your boss, and he can still flip that shit on a dime.”
“Do you know him or something?” Theo seems like he either knows Noah or his type, and he’s warning me.
“No, I don’t know him other than the few times we’ve crossed paths. He seems like a genuinely nice guy, but I think you already know why you can’t trust most of the men around here right now. I just want you to be careful.”
“I’ll be okay,” I assure him.
Theo wraps his arm around my neck. “I’m worried about you, honey. I know you didn’t come here to fall head over heels in love with someone. You were persuaded with free rent in hopes you’d find a job. Stick to your plan, and take things one day at a time. The world is a big place, and you’ve only been out of school for a few weeks.”
I wouldn’t say Theo is a lot older than I am, but he probably has a few years on me. Maybe those years are chock full of experiences, or maybe he’s been in my place before, though, I highly doubt it. “Thanks for looking out for me,” I tell him.
“This isn’t an easy place to make friends. I’ve learned that first-hand. I’m your friend, Ash. I’m on your side, okay?”
“Babe, dinner is—“ The words fly out from Theo’s front door before anyone pokes their head out.
“Ah—Jimmy, I’m just talking to Ashley real quick. I’ll be right in.” Jimmy … Did I meet him? I’ve seen him because he looks very familiar, but I don’t recall speaking to him. And the small fact that he called Theobabeis making it known why he might not have had an interest in chatting it up with me.
“Oh my God, I thought you were out here alone,” he says. Jimmy steps out and wipes his hands off on the white apron he’s wearing. “I am so sorry, Ashley. What you just heard—it was a joke.”
I shake my head with confusion. “I was just saying hi real quick, but it was nice to see you, Jimmy.” I stand up as quickly as I can and make my way across the lawn like I’ve got to pee. I feel bad. I made them uncomfortable. They’re obviously hiding something, and I hate that they think I might ruin that for them. Unless maybe, they don’t want others to know for the reason that might affect the outcome of this study they’re taking part in.
“Have a good night, hon,” Theo yells after me. I wave as I continue up to my front door, rushing to close myself inside.
