Page 83 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
The Williamses were the family that Theo had never had, and the feeling was more pronounced now. He felt as if he and Lavinia were closer than ever.
After dinner, Alfie did in fact choose the movie, and they all watched. Biter snuggled in Lavinia’s lap, and Lavinia snuggled against Theo.
About halfway through the movie, Biter fell asleep on Lavinia, and Lavinia fell asleep on Theo’s chest; she really was tired from last night. He loved the weight of her cuddling against him, a strand of hair falling over her cheek. He tucked her hair over her ear, not behind it.
Her ears always got cold when she was asleep. Whenever they watched rom-coms and there were scenes of the guy putting the girl’s hair behind her ear, Lavinia would always hold hers. “Mine get so cold at night!” she’d say. “I would never want a guy to do that!”
When the movie finished, Alfie went up to his room to get ready for bed, and Lavinia was still asleep. Beena put Biter in the bassinet, which was getting a little small for the baby dragon now, then went to the kitchen to make green tea for herself. Garrett followed her. Theo slipped out from under Lavinia, putting a pillow under her so she’d still be comfortable.
Heart beating fast, he went to the kitchen as Beena poured boiling water into two mugs from the kettle.
“Heading home?” Beena asked, smiling. Garrett stood beside her, arm around Beena’s shoulder.
“Um, yes, but there was something I wanted to tell you.”
“Everything okay?” Garrett asked.
Theo took a deep breath, bracing himself. He knew that Beena and Garrett weren’t his parents; they wouldn’t be automatically negative or disappointed, but still.
“Yes,” Theo breathed. “I just—I want to say . . . I’m in love with your daughter.”
Garrett and Beena looked surprised. They exchanged a glance.
“I wanted to tell you myself,” he said. “And I hope you’re pleased.”
“Of course we are!” Garrett said, coming over to give him a hug. Theo released a breath, relieved, but when he looked at Beena, he saw concern on her face. It was there and gone in a flash; then, she was smiling, giving him a hug as well.
“This is wonderful,” Beena said, kissing his cheek. Theo smiled.
“That was what I wanted to say,” he said, a little awkward. “Also, thanks for dinner.”
“Of course,” Beena said. Lavinia came into the kitchen, then, stretching.
“Are you leaving?” she asked Theo. He nodded, and she rose on her tiptoes to kiss him goodbye. Then, she noticed her parents. “Oops.”
Theo laughed. “Don’t worry, I told them.”
“Told them what?” Alfie asked, coming into the kitchen as well, this time in his pajamas.
“Theo and Lavinia are dating,” Garrett said, smiling proudly.
“I knew that already,” Alfie said, unbothered. “They even had a sleepover last night.”
“Alfie!” Lavinia cried, mortified. She pinched his side, and Alfie screeched.
“Aaaaand that’s my cue to leave,” Theo said, smiling sheepishly, though her parents only looked amused.
He headed out and went home. When he arrived, his apartment was so quiet and empty after spending last night and the day with Lavinia. He missed her already.
He would tell her to come over tomorrow, and the prospect brightened his mood. He got to tidying up the apartment, butwhen he was done with that, he decided to do a deep clean. He even emptied out one of his drawers for her since he knew she’d bring over a million things.
He spotted her scrunchie and put it in the empty drawer, smiling to himself.
He hadn’t even known being this happy was a possibility!
Now, he just needed to make sure he didn’t ruin anything.
Chapter 30
