Definitely my imagination.
But the tingly spine and pulse of heat deep inside made me feel like I needed to get up. Put some distance between us and reset.
Tea. I’d make more tea.
I kept talking as I stood and walked to the kitchen. “I’m glad we got this intel. I wish I knew what it meant, but at least it’s a place to start.”
“That’s what I’m thinking.” Theo followed me in and poured more coffee while I started the teakettle.
“I almost didn’t go over to the empty table in that restaurant,” I said. “I was so nervous. I don’t know why. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“You did good, Ball Point Pen.”
He reached out and we bumped fists. His compliment filled me with warmth. And more tingles.
What was wrong with me? It was just Theo.
But maybe there was no such thing asjustTheo Haven.
Turning toward the cupboard to get a mug, I hoped my cheeks weren’t flushing. How embarrassing. I reached for a mug, but paused. The one I’d been expecting—it had a cute little cat curled up on a pillow—wasn’t there. I hadn’t brought it over from Sean’s house yet.
Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.
“You okay?” Theo asked.
“Oh. Yes.” Blinking away the tears, I took out a different mug and set it on the counter. “I just thought I had one of my other mugs here. It must still be at Sean’s house. It’s totally not a big deal.”
His brow furrowed. “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” I pushed my glasses up my nose. “It’s just a mug.”
He hesitated. “Except, maybe it’s not the mug? Maybe you’re stressed because there’s still a lot of stuff over there that you have to deal with at some point. The mug just reminded you.”
Biting the inside of my lip so I didn’t tear up again, I nodded.
Because he was absolutely right.
Without another word, he set his coffee on the counter, stepped in, and wrapped his arms around me.
I inhaled, and his masculine scent filled me. His arms were thick and strong, his body warm and steady against mine. For a second, I thought he’d immediately let go, but he didn’t. He held me tighter, resting his cheek on the top of my head.
Relaxing against him, I wound my arms around his waist and closed my eyes. The tension melted from my body. He felt so good, I didn’t want it to end. Couldn’t we just stand there in his kitchen, hugging for the rest of the day?
Or at least for another minute?
Eventually, he let go and stepped back. I dropped my arms and fixed my glasses, once again hoping my cheeks weren’t bright red.
“It’s going to be okay,” he said, his voice soft. “You let me know when you’re ready and we’ll get your stuff out of there.”
“Thank you.” My voice was embarrassingly breathy. I swallowed, trying to pull myself together. But that hug had scrambled my brain. “I know I should probably—”
“Hey.” He put a finger to my lips, and his voice was still gentle. “Don’tshouldyourself. It’s okay if this is hard. It doesn’t make you weak.”
I gazed at him in disbelief. He meant that. He didn’t think I was weak—not for staying with Sean when I should have left, or for waiting to confront him again.
He was such a good friend. What would I have done without him?
“Besides, it’s only stuff.” He paused, concern passing over his features. “You don’t think he’ll get rid of it before you can move everything out, do you?”
