Page 145 of Tobias

“Yeah, you should try it someday.”

He shrugs, sipping on his drink. “Maybe I will.”

Dating professionally was fun. I met a lot of interesting and amazing people, but the best person I met was Theo. If I never dated anyone but him for the rest of my life, it’d be fine by me. He is the absolute love of my life, and I have no idea how I went so long without him, but now we have forever, and that’s all that matters.

Theodore

Six months later…

I went to work today thinking it would be a normal day—and most of it was. All my meetings went smoothly, and my team was working hard. I had lunch with the other managers, as we do on Fridays. Around four, an hour before it was time to leave, my boss—Marianne’s father—called me up to his office.

Over the last year and a half, since Tobias and I decided to really make a go at building a normal life together, I’ve felt what it’s like to work for the things I want.

I don’t hate it. In fact, I think I like it more. Getting up to go to work sucks. I never want to leave Tobias in the morning. But earning a paycheck? It feels damn good. But nothing has ever felt as normal—and terror-inducing—as beingcalled up to the big boss’s office on a Friday evening. No, not even the stupid scary movies Tobias makes me watch—still. Which is even worse when we live in a house deep in the woods.

As I make my way through the office, I swear I feel everyone staring at me, but I’m sure it’s just my own insecurities and worries about being fired.

If I get fired, well, I’m not sure what we’ll do. Figure it out together, I guess.

I’m proud of being the sole provider for my family. I like taking care of Tobias. Yes, he still works sometimes, but that’s because he wants to. Do I love it? Not really. Some would think him going on dates with other people is cheating, but I trust him more than anyone in this world. He would never do anything to hurt me, and his dates are strictly professional. I’m sure he would step up and go back to working full time, but I don’t want him to. I like my role. Going to work and being in charge of all these people then going home and letting it all go, giving up control to Tobias, it's an amazing feeling.

Looking in the reflection of the shiny metal door, I adjust my tie and run my fingers through my hair.

I don’t talk to Mr. Dumonte often when it comes to work, but we have attended a few dinners together, thanks to Marianne still being in my corner and trying to keep the peace between us. Her new boyfriend is super cool about it, which is a relief. She’s happy. I see the difference in her eyes. Not that I still worry about what happened with us, but I guess a small part of me will always feel guilty for tossing her world upsidedown. But when I see her with Wayne, her boyfriend, I know it was the right decision for both of us.

The elevator doors open and I step into the lobby.

“Good morning, Cindy. I’m here for Mr. Dumonte. He just called.”

“Oh, good afternoon, Theodore. Yes, he’s expecting you.”

She picks up her phone and presses a button. “Mr. Dumonte, Theodore is here to see you. Yes, sir, right away.”

She hangs the phone up and gives me a bright smile. Her glasses are too big for her face, but I think that’s the style nowadays. It’s not really an issue or even the point of focus, because her bright red hair is curly as hell and… poofy, for lack of a better word. The whole look fits her, but nothing about her is subtle.

I make my way down the hall, stopping in front of his closed door. I take a deep breath before raising my hand to knock twice.

“Come in!”

This is it. I'm once again standing in front of the office that could change my future.

Though work is roughly an hour drive from home, my heart is still pounding when I pull up our driveway, stopping in front of our three-car garage that I hardly use. I don’t drive a Bentley anymore; I found something more practical—a Tucson. Theinside of the garage is filled with holiday decorations and the Mustang that Tobias works on almost daily.

It’s a warm Seattle night, nearing on seventy-five. It’ll cool down more as the night goes on. After my meeting with Mr. Dumonte, he let me leave early. So instead of getting home closer to 6:30, it’s only a little before 5:30.

The house is dark as I open the front door, which isn’t a surprise. Tobias may not even be home. He isn’t working today, but he takes Biscuit for walks often, brings her to the dog park, or goes to the gym or shopping. Also, he could just be home and in the dark because he hates the lights on.

I swipe the wall for the light switch and when the lights turn on, a bunch of bodies jump up from behind furniture, pop out from around corners, scaring the ever-living shit out of me as they shout, “Surprise!”

As if my heart couldn’t beat any harder.

Before I can say anything, the crowd of people move closer to me, all smiling and dressed to impress, as if they’re due at a dinner party. But even through the crowd of familiar faces, it’s only one person I focus on. Tobias is front and center, moving right toward me and cupping my face to kiss me.

“Congratulations, baby,” he says with a bright smile, Biscuit at his side. They’re basically attached at the hip at all times.

I smile in return, but I’m confused as hell.

“How did you know?” I ask. I hadn’t shared the news with him. I was hoping to do it tonight, over dinner.

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