Page 69 of Entirely Yours
She waves her hands haphazardly through the air. “Said? Nothing was said! Just girl talk, you know? Nothing to worry about.”
I narrow my eyes at her. Redness is rising up her neck, a telltale sign that she’s embarrassed. We stare at each other while Thea flashes through several different attempts at a smile. “It seems like there is something to worry about, actually.”
“Ha! No. No, everything is fine! Don’t you need to get to the shop? Big day tomorrow!”
I do need to get to the shop, but I need to get to the bottom of this even more.
“Thea, you’re acting strange. Can we just talk about it, please?”
What can only be described as a cackle bursts forth. “Me? Strange? I’m totally normal, cool as a cucumber, easy breezy lemon squeeze-y! Wait, that’s not the saying… Whatever! I’m?—”
She puts her hand down in an effort to fake a casual lean, but instead of leaning against the countertop, her hand goes directly onto the top of my steaming mug of coffee, knocking it over and spilling it down the cabinets and onto the top of her feet.
“Fuck! Ow! Ow ow ow, it’s hot!”
I don’t even think before scooping her up and placing her on top of the counter, next to the sink. Running cool water, I navigate her feet under the faucet. The water runs over the top of her scarred and blistered toes, washing all the coffee away. Thankfully it only looks a little red and probably surprised her more than anything.
I turn the water off and then bracket her body with my arms, calming us both down with a deep breath. “Cool as a cucumber, huh, Rosie girl?”
She huffs a laugh, leaning her head onto my shoulder. “I guess I’m more so cool as a steaming hot cup of coffee.”
“What did they say, Thea?”
She sighs. “They were only reiterating how serious you are about this. About us. I know you’ve been saying that, but it freaked me out to hear it from outsiders, too.”
“I’m trying really hard not to push you into anything, Thea. I’m trying to be patient.”
She pulls away and looks at me. “You are. You are making me feel secure. I’m trying really hard, too, even if it doesn’t seem like it. The emotional scars are deep. They are invisible wounds that are having every opportunity to reopen as I live through such a traumatic time in my life again.”
“You know it’s different.”
“I do know that, but it’s hard toreallyknow it.”
“Mmm, yes we actually talk about that a lot in my family. We can know something here”—I tap her forehead—“but we don’t always know it here.” I tap her heart.
Relief washes over her face. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s how I feel.”
“I can respect that. I—” I want to tell her that I love her, but I know I can’t. Not yet. “I have something I want to tell you, but I know you aren’t ready.”
Her eyes widen as she takes in what I want to communicate.
“Just know,” I continue. “When you are ready to hear it. I’m ready to say it. Okay?”
“How are you so perfect?” she breathes.
“No one is perfect—I hate vegetables, remember? But, Thea… I believe people can be perfect for each other. You… you’re perfect for me, and I’m doing my damndest to be perfect for you.”
I dry her feet off and then help her down off the counter. “We have some finishing touches that we need to add today, and you have classes to teach, yes?”
Thea nods in confirmation.
“Come to the shop after class. Keep me and the boys company. I’m sure other family members will pop by, we can make them feel really awkward about bombarding you with emotional conversations.”
She giggles, sweeter than any music I could ever make, and says, “I’d like that. Thank you, Jules. For everything.”
All I can think about is how I’d do anything for her.
I am completely, entirely hers.
