Page 48 of Snow, Ice, and Spice
“Nope,” Theo repeats, only this time his tone is harder.
Xander holds up a hand like he’s backing off. “Gotta say, I was kinda surprised to see you at the game with Maya.”
“Sorry, I should have asked if it was okay for him to come too,” I say quickly.
Theo makes a grumbling noise.
Xander doesn’t even acknowledge it as he flashes another boyishly handsome smile at me. “No apologies necessary. I’m glad you came. Even if you brought this loser with you.”
He chuckles, clearly joking. Theo’s frown doesn’t budge. I give him a playful nudge on the arm.
“He’s joking, Theo,” I say gently.
“I know. I just didn’t think it was funny,” he mutters before taking another long swig of water.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Xander roll his eyes. I roll my shoulders back in an attempt to loosen the tightness in my shoulders. God, sitting between two guys who don’t seem to like each other is unpleasant. And stressful.
The irritation I’ve been pushing aside resurfaces. What the hell is Theo’s problem? Why is he acting all jealous and moody when he told Xander yesterday that it was totally fine for him to ask me out?
I hold back from going off on him. Now’s not the right time to bring it up, not when we’re in public and not in front of Xander. I can only imagine how uncomfortable this is for him to deal with Theo acting like this.
Xander leans closer to me before touching the earring dangling from my left ear. “These are nice.”
“Thanks.”
“Where’d you get them?” he asks.
“I made them.”
“Really?” Xander raises his brow like he’s impressed. “I didn’t know you were a talented jewelry designer.”
I shrug. “I’m okay.”
“What’re you talking about? These are killer,” Xander says. “I mean, I don’t know shit about jewelry, but they look really fancy and nice.”
“He’s right. They’re amazing, Maya.” I’m caught off guard by Theo’s sweet tone. When I look at him, he’s not frowning anymore. There’s an earnestness in his eyes that catches me off guard.
His gaze drifts to the gold square hoops I’m wearing before his stare connects with mine once more.
“How long have you been designing earrings?” Theo asks.
“Awhile. I’ve designed my own jewelry since I was a kid,” I say.
“Damn, really?” Xander asks.
I nod. “It’s the one interest I’ve kept for most of my life. I’ve started and quit dozens of hobbies.”
“It’s good you stuck with it,” Theo says. “You’re ridiculously talented. Don’t talk yourself down, okay?”
I swallow as I nod at what he’s said. “Thanks,” I say quietly.
The conviction in his tone makes me dizzy. This is so freaking awkward. And weird. One minute I’m pissed at him for acting like a territorial douche and the next my entire body is flushing at how he gushes over me.
His gaze drifts to my earrings once more. “You made a pair like that for Ingrid, right?”
“Yeah. I’ve made her lots of earrings. She says she loves them, she’s so sweet.” I let out a shy laughing sound.
Theo holds my gaze and quirks an eyebrow. “She’s got good taste.”
