Page 85 of Penance
And my only chance of doing that stands on the other side of the door I’m pacing in front of. With one deep breath, I set my shoulders back and square my body to face this head on. Lifting my hand, I knock once and then step back and wait. I don’t have to wait long, though, because as soon as my hand falls back to my side, the door swings open, Theo fills the open space, wearing a t-shirt that hugs his biceps and leaning his shoulder against the frame with a smirk on his lips. His arms are crossed over his chest, revealing every single line of muscle, and his hair is a little messy, like he just woke up. I have an innate need to reach out and run my fingers through it—until he opens his mouth.
“I was wondering how long it would take for you to knock. I was starting to think you’d pace out here all day.”
I narrow my eyes. “You knew I was out here the whole time?”
Mischief sparks in the darkness of his eyes. “I figured there’s only one reason you’d be standing on my step on a Saturday morning.”
There’s amusement in his voice that has me thinking about strangling him again. The man makes me want to choke him and kiss him simultaneously, and it’s confusing.
Very, very confusing.
“And what is it you assume that reason is?” I keep the emotion out of my voice, but inside, I’m a ball of it.
Theo shoves his shoulder off the door, stepping forward until our chests touch. I dip my head back, looking up at him. This close, I can see it’s not just mischief in his eyes but something else. Something more.
Something dangerous.
I should step back, place enough space between us, but my feet won’t move. They don’t seem to understand the danger my heart is in. Theo leans down, closing more of the space between us until the scruff on his jaw drags against my cheek and his lips are next to my ear.
“You need my help.” His voice brushes over my skin, tugging at those emotions just below the surface. The ones that are even more dangerous than Theo. “Ask me, hopeless. Ask me for my help.”
Every fiber of my being fights against what he’s asking—fights against what I know I need to do—but then he lifts his hand and cups my face, dragging his thumb across my skin.
“Ask me.” His words are a whisper across my skin. A plea that I give in to.
“I need to borrow your dog.”
Surprise flashes in his eyes, but he doesn’t pull away. “And?” he asks. Humor laces his voice. He knows. I don’t know how, but somehow this man knows me—sees beneath, to the things I try to hide.
“And you. I need to borrow you too.”
Theo’s smirk turns into a genuine smile. “Are you asking me on adate, hopeless?”
I step back out of his hold but force myself to stand steady when my heart screams at me to run. “You are my fake boyfriend, aren’t you?”
His grin turns dangerous. “You keep telling yourself that, baby.”
______________________
Abigail called me this morning to tell me the vote for the Birdies is in two weeks, right around the time of the next board meeting, and I don’t know which one I’m more worried about.
If the board votes against me, it’s my job—one that I love—but it’s more than that. If I lose my job, I’ll have to leave Benton Falls, and this is the first place that’s ever felt like home.
On the other hand, if I don’t get a spot with the Birdies, I don’t know that I’ll want to stay anyway because it will mean I’ve failed. And I’m tired of failing.
So until the vote, I’m going to do everything I can to ensure I don’t—including pretending I know how to let someone in.
The summer festival is two weeks from now, and while I have tasks I need to accomplish, I know that some of the Birdies will be at the park today, discussing the layout for the vendors. It’s my best chance to impress them before the vote, but I needed a reason to show up. Theo’s dog is my best bet—and I guess it doesn’t hurt to have Theo here, too.
We are at the park’s entrance when I spy the Birdies on the other side. Without thinking, I grab onto Theo’s hand, lacing our fingers and stepping closer to him.
“Quick, pretend you like me.” I try to start walking, but Theo doesn’t budge. He holds tighter, pulling me back. I fall into him, my hands falling on his chest. His arm comes up, wrapping around me and holding me steady. A steadythump, thump, thumpbeats beneath my fingers while he holds onto Lucy’s leash with his free hand.
“I don’t have to pretend, hopeless.” We’re so close that, withhis head bent, our lips brush with each word, and I find my heart linking with the beat of his. He leans forward just enough to put pressure against my lips. It’s hardly a kiss, but it sets my entire body on fire. I’m burning up in it, willingly throwing myself into the heat.
He pulls back, satisfaction glinting in his eyes. “Come on,” he says, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Let’s give these women a show.”
My stomach sours.
