“It takes time. More than you think.”
“Are you speaking from experience?”
“Maybe.” It was only half an answer, but it gave me just enough to see him a little differently. Sometimes it felt like I lived in a bubble, where most people had childhoods that were nothing like mine. I was the one who carried my own problems on my back. It was rare that I met anyone who’d seen half the stuff I had.
But as I stared at Theo, I recognized something very familiar.
It made me see him differently.
I was curious. Desperately so.
He wouldn’t answer if I asked.
“Thanks for coming by,” I said instead. “I know you probably didn’t want to, but I did need the reminder to come back in.”
He nodded. “Contrary to what some think, I do care about customer service.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you have to make a house visit.”
Theo thought about his next words for a long time. “I’ve been where you are, and someone doing something kind helped me through it. I’m not sure what to do, but a house visit is a small start.”
“You know how I feel?”
“Not exactly. It wasn’t a touch that would set me off. Sometimes it was just existing.”
“Did it get better?”
“Yes. Slowly.”
“I hate slow.” I shook my head. “But hopefully it’ll happen eventually. I have big plans.”
“Then make them happen.”
“Is the coffee shop yours?”
“It is.”
“We’re similar, aren’t we?” I asked it softly. “That’s why you feel so familiar.”
Now his head jerked back to me. “What?”
“S-sorry. I overstepped. You’re just being nice and I’m having weird thoughts.” I took a shaky breath. “You can forget I said that.”
“I . . . can’t.”
Great. Now I wanted to melt into the floor for the second time today. “Then just don’t make fun of me for it.”
“No, Piper. I had the same thought.”
“Really? And you ignored me?” I said it before I could stop myself, and I wondered if I should take it back.
“I was polite.”
“And cold.” I tilted my head to the side. “Your tall, dark, and broody attitude could use a little friendliness.”
“I’m plenty friendly.” His cheeks were red and I couldn’t help the grin that took over my face. “Seriously, you should’ve seen me when I first got here.”
“First got here? You mean you’re not from here?”
