Page 52 of Meet Me at the Metro

“My focus is onstages, Teddy. Not concert halls.”

“Fair enough,” he shrugs, grinning boyishly. “My dad used to take me here.”

Theo’s eyes tear away from mine as he blurts out the confession. He didn’t mean to tell me that,but he did.A vague look of discomfort crosses his face, and I decide that, for now, I don’t need to linger on the topic.

“Let’s see it then!” I exclaim, heading toward the doors. “I don’t feel like standing out here having you chastise me all night!”

He lets out another warm laugh. “Oh, darling… I’ll chastise you inside, too.”

Darling.

Oh my God, that sounded as smooth as caramel coming out of his mouth. I try to ignore the warmth beginning to blossom in my chest.

“If you know this place so well, then give me the grand tour. God knows how much you love giving those,” I tease, recalling the day Evie forced him to show me around the school’s theater.

Theo opens the door and motions me through. “Watch your step, Nora.”

As soon as we step inside, I feel as though I am taken right back to the 1800s, the authentic essence of the place bringing every single nerve in my body to life. Old brick stone covers the walls around us, dimly lit by vintage light fixtures scattered throughout the aged establishment. As my eyes soak in every detail of the space, I fall in love with the old, timeless charm buzzing all around us.

“Theo!?Oh, my days! It’s really you, isn’t it?” An ashy-haired old man crosses around the oak cashier counter ahead and hobbles over to us. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you here! How have you been, boy?My,my, you’re not a young lad anymore.”

By the look of surprise on Theo’s face, I can tell he’s been caught by pleasant surprise.

He embraces Theo tightly, and I’m surprised to watch Theo’s arms be just as accepting of him as he hugs the old man back—without an ounce of hesitation. “I wish I could say the same, Barney. You don’t look like you’ve aged a day since I last saw you.”

“Bollocks!” he roars with laughter. When Barney’s hazel eyes finally land on me, he quirks an eyebrow. “Always the charmer, this one.And you are?”

“I’m,” I pause momentarily, contemplating the name but ultimately telling him,“Nora.You can call me Nora.”

I try not to watch Theo’s reaction, but I see how he brings the back of his hand up to cover his mouth,hiding his smile.

“Well,Nora,it’s lovely to meet you.” Barney switches his stare back and forth between Theo and me and asks, “You two lovers here to see the show tonight?”

Lovers.

Something about the word sends all of my senses into overdrive.

Theo shifts on his feet and clears his throat. “Nora’s a friend, Barney.”

It stung to hear those words, but I swallow the lump in my throat and stay quiet, pretending that I don’t feel his eyes on me.

“I wanted to show her this place,” Theo says, cutting through the lingering silence. “It’s Barbara Streisand night, right?”

The name immediately conjures up every ounce of my attention.

Does he know how much I absolutely adore that woman?

“It sure is. You know what? You guys go right on in. Enjoy the show.”

“We can pay for our tickets, Barney. It’s no problem.”

“Did I ask if you could? I’m not accepting your money. Now go,enjoy.”

Theo is reluctant, but after a moment of contemplation, he throws the old man a thankful nod and finally joins at my side again. So naturally, his palm finds the middle of my back, resting there softly as he leads me toward the stairs, giving way to the balcony of the music hall.

“And Theo! It’s good to see that you are doing well, my boy. Your father would be so proud.”

Theo halts at the words, his Adam’sapple bobbing against his neck as he swallows. I brush my fingers along the back of his hand in silent comfort as he acknowledges Barney’s comment with a tentative nod.

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