Page 34 of The Right Guy
“I was worried. Remember my phobia, big guy?” A shiver rattled my jaw. “I saw your clothes and nearly died.” I pointed to the heap a few yards away. “You’re like a prime sirloin steak for sharks.”
He bit the edge of his lip and sighed heavily. “And what were you going to be—the side dish of sweet peas?” A faint laugh vanished. “I hate tuxes. I took it off.” He bounced his shoulders sharply. “I had no reason to wear it.”
I sighed and swiped dripping curls off my forehead. “I rang your phone a million times. Why didn’t you pick up?”
His stance was predatory, wearing only damp boxer briefs and a stern pout. Burly arms tightened across his chest and he slotted his palms under his armpits.
“I left my phone at the beach house.” Muscular legs widened, and then he whistled with an ear-piercing blow. “Poseidon! Come here. We’re not going for a walk yet. Come and lie down.” A soft wet nose sniffed my bare leg. The dog wagged his tail, then trotted to Theo’s heels and sat in the sand. “Why is your dress ripped? Did that fucker try to—?”
“No! I tripped because I was chasing after you,” I stuttered as my teeth chattered. “Typical Ada antics. All feet and no coordination. I had to take my sandals off and run barefoot, Theo.” A shiver quickly became uncontrollable.
“I came to the ball, as your date, for old time’s sake. I didn’t expect to find you huddled in a corner with—him.”
“Iwas not huddled!” My voice rose in decibels, and Poseidon's ears pricked.
Theo rolled his eyes. “Seemed pretty fucking cozy to me, Ada.”
“I told him to back off. He’s already got a girlfriend and shouldn’t be sniffing around me.” My toes dug into the sand as I wavered, ready for my big announcement.
Theo eyed me warily. “Right, so if he was single, you’d be all over him like a rash.” His lowered tone implied a statement rather than a question. He unfolded his arms, stepped over the contented dog and sauntered to the hill of clothes. After shaking out the tux jacket, he strolled closer with that massive bulge of his neatly packaged and solid. “You’re freezing.” He acknowledged the goosebumps scattering my arms with a gentle stroke of his hand. The luxurious fabric draped my shoulders, and he swiped a rebellious curl away from my lashes.
I peered up at him, subtly sniffing the delicate essence of his cologne. “I don’t want him. I know that now, Theo.”
The lump in his throat bobbed. “What do you want, Ada?”
“You, it’s always been you.” My voice strained on the last word because I couldn't bare rejection again.
He didn’t speak. A hot pensive stare lingered on my lips and then drifted down to the pendant burrowed in my cleavage. He reached forward and picked up the small stone, rolling it in his fingers before letting it drop. Theo turned to face the horizon, lowered on his hunches, and joined Poseidon.
“Say something, Theo,” I whispered.
“Sit with me.” That's all he said. No comment like, ‘I want you too’, or a declaration of his eternal love, or even a sign he wanted to be more than friends. I dangled by a heartstring in the lonely limbo, known as the fucking friendship zone.
There was no need to hitch up my sopping dress. The split had turned the fitted, form hugging-style into loose and unflattering. Landing with a plonk, I tugged his jacket around me and inhaled his cologne.
“I’m sorry.” I glimpsed at his profile, waiting for him to draw breath. His somber contemplation twisted my insides.
He stared out to sea, lips parted, and fingernails scraping the neatly trimmed lengths sprouting from his chin. He’d tidied himself up for the ball. Either to impress me or to fit in. “Ada, do you know how hard it’s been for me to hear you talk about Ro?” He paused. “Like every fucking day.” His abrupt, angry scowl hardened his features. “Like he’s the only one who can make you happy?”
“Theo—”
“I heard Fia was going to the ball with him, and being your friend, I couldn't let you go on your own. But when I got there.” His head shook faintly, and a wash of dejection or frustration shimmered in his eyes. “I’m not convinced you feel that way about me.”
He was glorious in the low light, dusk shadowing the structure of his face. Thick black lashes lowered to the chunky rings adorning his long fingers. His brawny torsowas framedby far off twinkling stars scattering the violet sky. Ibecame aware ofthe gentle rhythm of waves lapping the seashore, a playful wind caressing his decorated skin, and I embraced the burst of adoration swirling inside me. Everything was magical when Theo was next to me.
I’d plunged into open water for him, terrified for his safety over my own. I conquered my fear because of one man. Theo was mylife,and had been since I arrived in America. He was my happily ever after.
“I don’t feel that way about you, Theo.” His long, ragged exhale hinted disappointment or even ruin. “I don’t love him. I never have.”
His head jerked, and he tossed me an unreadable frown. “What does that mean?”
“What do you think it means, big guy?” I offered him a shy smile.
“Ada.” His whole body turned into me. “Say it. Say you’re in love with me. Say that you’re mine.”
I couldn’t stop the wide grin spreading across my cheeks. “I nearly drowned, Theo. I risked getting eaten by Megalodon to save you. I kinda think that’s proof.”
“Say it,” he growled in a rumble. Theo closed the gap between us and carefully secured my nape, locking me in position before him. “Don’t make me beg, Ada.”
