Page 37 of Fake Out Hearts

“Sharing a meal is as good a place to start as any. Isn’t that what they did in ‘ye olden days’?”

“Then I hope it gets here soon so I at least have something to do with my hands,” I say, and Theo chuckles. He checks his phone for an update.

“Looks like it’s already on its way. Should be here any minute.”

“Great.”

“So, uh, how do you like your room? Will it work for you?”

“I’m in no position to complain.”

Theo shoots me a look. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

Thankfully, a bell sounds from somewhere in the condo, saving me from my own awkwardness, and Theo jumps up off the couch. “There’s the food. Be right back,” he says and strides toward the door. I hear him talking with the delivery guy but can’t make out or focus on what they’re saying because I still can’t quite believe I’m here.

As I sit in this amazing living room, with this incredible view, I feel like I’m watching a movie of someone else’s life. Which is hilarious when I think about it because I’ve spent most of the last few years of my life literally being a side character in someone else’s story. But I’m still not comfortable being the one in the spotlight.

My fingers splay out across the textured leather of the couch just to root me, to convince me it’s not all going to disappear if I blink. I can’t think of a time I ever sat on a couch this nice, much less called one mine. Shawn could’ve afforded things like this if he wanted them, but that was the key: he had to want it. I try to remember a single time he did something nice for me and come up empty.

Meanwhile, Theo has married me, moved me into his house, and welcomed me into his life all while barely knowing me. He and Shawn might both be famous hockey players, but that’sabout it in terms of their similarities. I don’t really understand what Theo sees in me or why he’s doing all of this for me, because it really is crazy, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is. That I’m here.

I turn on the couch to find him standing at the kitchen island watching me. “You okay?”

“Better than I’ve been in a long time,” I say with a smile.

Maybe I’m just as crazy as he is, but I’m starting to trust him and that this is all going to work out. I’ve lived my whole life waiting for the other shoe to drop, so I don’t really know how to turn that off, but being here and sharing something as simple as takeout Indian with him makes me want to try.

“That’s what I like to hear.” Theo grins as he walks back into the living room with two plastic containers and utensils.

He hands me my chicken korma and sits right next to me to set his meal on the glass-topped coffee table in front of us. We settle into a comfortable silence as we start to eat, and I take a few bites of the food.

It really is amazing, easily up there with the best Indian food I’ve ever had. And when combined with the bread, it’s perfection. But all the nerves of the past few days have affected my appetite, and I’m already feeling full, so I leave the tray on the table after a bit and lean back on the couch to admire the view of the mountains.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at this,” I admit in a quiet voice.

“That makes two of us.”

“It’s always been a dream of mine to live close to the mountains like this, but I didn’t think it would ever actually happen.”

Theo sets his tray down next to mine and leans back on the couch too. We stare at the mountains for a few moments until heturns his head to face me and smiles. “What other dreams do you have?”

I purse my lips. “Hm. I don’t even know where to start, aside from the fact that I’ve dreamed of getting a dog ever since I was a little girl. But the time never seemed right for it.”

“That’s a good start.” He nods approvingly. “What else?”

“I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy.”

His face lights up. “Oh, that’s a good one. Italy is amazing. What else? Making a career out of dancing? That must be a big one for you.”

I tilt my head. “Yes and no. I used to dream of being part of a professional dance company, but even though I still love to perform, my dreams are different these days. What I really want to do is partner with a dance company and teach classes. Inspire the next generation of dancers.”

“That’s awesome. I’ve thought about teaching hockey someday too when I’m too old and busted to keep getting banged up on the ice. Not that I’m implying you’re old or busted. Far from it.” He shakes his head emphatically, making me chuckle. “But seriously, you should pursue it. No dream is too big or too small, and it’s never too late.”

“It’s a big part of why I wanted to stay in the US,” I admit. “So once things settle down a bit, I’ll definitely look into it.”

“You’ll be an amazing teacher, I can already tell.”

I cock my head. “Really? Why is that?”

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