Page 15 of Boyfriend Material
“Shit. Right.” Theo grunted and pulled on his jeans, but left them unzipped. Then he grabbed his toiletry bag from the nightstand and stopped at the bedroom door. He turned and winked at her. “Be back soon.”
As soon as he was out the door, Livie jumped out of bed and grabbed her phone. It was probably too early to talk to Patience, but she’d text and see if she answered.
Livie: You awake yet? Happy Thanksgiving.
While she waited, she unpacked her suitcase and hung up the dress she planned to wear for dinner. It was her favorite. She wore it when she wanted to feel powerful. The emerald-green jersey clung to her in all the right places and stopped just above her knee. Patience had helped her pick it out and said the color looked great with her hair. It had been the last thing she packed. She hoped it’d knock Theo’s socks off when he saw her in it.
Patience: Happy Thanksgiving. Is everything okay? Did you get to ride Theo the stallion?
Livie: OMG. No. But we kissed, and I almost spontaneously combusted.
Patience: You know that’s not real.
Livie: If Theo keeps kissing me, I might disprove that.
Patience: Damn, girl, you have it bad. Don’t get hurt.
Livie: It might be too late. He’s so dreamy and perfect, and funny.
Patience: You’re right. It’s too late. Just be careful. He seems like a nice guy, but we don’t really know him.
Livie: I kind of do now. But I don’t have time to explain. If I can sneak away from the kitchen, I’ll call you in a couple of hours. Okay?
Patience: I can’t wait. I have so many questions.
Livie: And for once, I’m the one with the answers. *Smiley face*
Patience: Love you.
Livie: Love you too. Later.
Livie put her phone on the nightstand and locked the screen. The last thing she needed was Theo or anyone else to see her texts with Patience. Theo walked in a few minutes later.
“How was your shower?” she asked. His damp hair appeared darker than its usual milk chocolate color. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a sky-blue long-sleeved pullover.
She barely resisted the urge to check if she had drool on her chin.
“Lonely.” He winked.
She was sure color flooded her cheeks, and he chuckled.
“Your turn. I heard your parents heading downstairs. I’m thinking they’ll be ringing the breakfast bell soon.”
“Probably. Do you need to call your family this morning?”
“I will, but not until later. I usually call around dinner time. Although, I won’t if it’s the same time we’re eating.”
“Oh, you won’t have to worry. We eat promptly at three every year. Same for Christmas.”
“Are you sure you’re not in the Navy, too?”
“Please, don’t give my mother any ideas. She’s bad enough already.”
Theo laughed. “Just try to roll with it. I’ve got your back. We’re going to have a great time.”
Livie squished up her face. “If you say so.”
“I do, and I’ll prove it too.”
