Page 100 of Fake Out Hearts

I hold the spoon out to her, and she cups her hand underneath it to stop any dribbling as she gingerly sips at the soup. She doesn’t react at first, but her face lights up. “Wow, that’s… that’s actually really good?”

“What’s with the questioning tone?”

“Nothing, I just thought you couldn’t cook. Maybe you were playing me all along.”

“Oh, no, believe me, I really can’t. I just got lucky. In more ways than one,” I say, beaming at her, and blush paints her face again.

I pull the chicken nuggets out of the oven, then grab a bowl from the cabinet and fill it with the soup before plating a few nuggets. Then I bring both of dishes over to the kitchen table, gesturing with my chin for Becca to follow me.

“What are you doing?” she asks when I set the dishes down and settle onto the seat in front of them. “Are those for me?”

“Yup, they are. Come, sit,” I say, patting my lap, and Becca laughs.

“Are you serious?”

“One hundred percent.” I pat my leg again. “Come on, before the soup gets cold.”

Becca looks uncertain but settles in my lap. I scoop up a spoonful of the soup and blow on it again before raising it to her lips. She laughs and opens wide, so I gently feed her the spoonful, and she whimpers as she tastes it.

“You really don’t have to do this. I’m not so weak and tired that I can’t lift a spoon for myself.”

“I know I don’t have to, but—”

“You’re doing it because you want to,” she says with a smile. “Yeah, I know. I still think it’s too much, but thank you. Really.”

I kiss her cheek. “You’re welcome,” I say, and give her a chicken nugget next. “So have you heard back yet from any of the other dance places you contacted?”

Becca covers her mouth while she finishes chewing and shakes her head before she swallows. “No. Honestly, it’s been really stressful. I have this awful reputation now, and I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to shake it.”

“You will. Take it from someone with the bad boy bachelor reputation.”

Becca laughs. “Okay, then there’s hope.” She falls silent after another mouthful of soup, but she’s chewing slowly, almost like she’s chewing on her thoughts at the same time.

“What’s on your mind?”

Becca shrugs. “Call me crazy, but I’ve been thinking that maybe I should try to start a school separate from a dance company. It’s daunting, but it would be way more freeing if it worked out too. It would be all mine.”

“There’s nothing crazy about dreams. Dream as big as you want. If someone like me can make it to the NHL, you can do anything you put your mind to.”

Becca smiles at me, and I feel the warmth spread through my body. Even when she’s recovering, she’s a ray of light in my life. I love the way I feel about myself around her, the way she makes me feel like anything is possible. Sometimes, when I encourage her like this, I almost feel like I’m encouraging myself at the same time.

“Really? You think I could do something like that?”

“Of course. It’s a great idea, and you have the talent, no one can deny that. It’s just a matter of getting it started and seeing it through. But you already have the skills you need for that too. And you know I’d help you however I could.”

Becca takes the spoon from me to scoop up more soup for herself. The bowl’s half empty at this point, which is good. I’m glad she likes it, and that she’s getting some food in her stomach. I don’t want her going hungry ever again, on accident or otherwise.

When she finishes chewing, she stares into my eyes. “Thank you, Theo. For everything. I really don’t know where I’d be right now without you.”

“Well, luckily for you, you never need to worry about that. You’ll always have a place here with me, no matter what else happens.”

I mean it too. More than anything I’ve ever said. I wouldn’t have predicted this on that first night Becca and I spent together, drinking and talking on the beach, but I’m so fucking glad I decided to follow her outside that night.

Becca leans against me, resting her head on my collar. She nuzzles her cheek on mine, and I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. It’s such a sweet, innocent moment, and I don’t want it to end.

Because the truth is, I’m falling for her.

Hard.

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