Page 153 of Reckless
Quiet confusion fills the space for a beat.
My dad faces me now, a small tug on the corner of his lips. “Why did you just saydrank?”
I burst out laughing. The stress, the pressure, the confusion...
It all feels more bearable when I’m with my family.
* * *
Later that night, when the sun gets low in the sky, Theo curls his hand around mine and walks me to the other side of the ranch house. Our feet crunch on the gravel driveway and the hum of friendly conversation grows quiet as we get further away from everyone.
We left a cake-covered Vivi in Kip’s arms. Her grandfather is so taken with her he didn’t seem to mind the mess.
“Where are we going?”
“To be alone for a minute.”
“Are we sneaking away to fuck?” I whisper, as though anyone could hear us.
Theo chuckles, the rumble in his chest warm and comforting. The press of his black dress shirt slides like silk against my bare arm.
His head turns, his eyes tracing me up and down while his tongue darts out over his lips. “I hadn’t planned on it, but you look very fuckable in that red dress, Doctor Hamilton.”
“How much farther? My feet are tired from standing in these boots all day.” I sound whiny, but I don’t care. I don’t have to be at my best with Theo.
He’ll love me at my worst, and at my whiniest. Today I’m tired, overwhelmed, and feeling a little wrung out.
He turns suddenly, scooping me into his arms as I squeal and reach for his neck. “Heading to that same spot in the pull-through where you dressed me down almost two years ago.”
I laugh and let him carry me until we’re standing in front of the ranch house.
Right where I shoved my keys between my fingers and lost my shit on him.
Right where it all started.
Theo places me on my feet as I peer around the property. It was cold, dark, and snowy that night. And I was stressed out.
But tonight it’s warm and golden. The sky is a pale pink. My feet are killing me, but I’m content.
And when I look back at where Theo was standing—he’s now down on one knee.
Holding a little blue velvet box with a stunning teardrop solitaire ring glinting off the rosy sky.
And I freeze.
Theo chuckles. “I know this might feel soon, but hear me out.”
I nod woodenly. It doesn’t feel soon. It feels like a dream.
“I was in this exact spot when you gave me the best and hottest verbal lashing of my life. You were all wild eyes and fighting words. I thought I’d never seen a more heart-stopping fiery woman in my life. You were...well...you were mean. But I appreciated your spunk. That was the night I knew I wanted you.”
Fucking tears fill my eyes again.
“That was the night I told my friend I thought I was in love with you. And I had no idea how right I was.” He shyly lowers his gaze for a moment. “I was being an obnoxious little shit disturber. I was egging you on because I liked the way you scratched back. I likedyou.”
A tearful giggle ripples out of me. Only Theo Silva could have liked me that night.
“That night, all the best things in this world came into existence. You. Vivi. Us.”
