Page 46 of Where We Call Home

“Why am I not surprised?”

“I don’t know, you tell me.” I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, finally taking in her outfit. She looked effortlessly attractive in a matching sweatsuit with her hair was braided into her signature pigtails, and the oversized fabric she wore flowed against her body–for some reason, it drove me a little crazy.

“I think it’s that whole good-boy-next-door vibe you give off,” she teased, waving a hand in my direction with her lips pushed out.

I scoffed, my filter vanishing as I replied without thinking. “I told you I liked being called a good boy.”

“Ugh!” Theo gasped, laughing. “That’sexactlywhat a good boy would say while ignoring the obvious innuendo.” She shifted to face me, her bent leg pressed against the console.

“Who said I was ignoring it?” I quipped, my grin widening.

“The day Rhodes Dunn dirty-talks is the day hell freezes over.” Theo was flirty. There was a look in her eyes that was beginning to make me feel like ice cream wasn’t the only thing she'd devour.

“You’re sassy today.”

“Maybe I’m just a little anxious,” Theo admitted, her tone softening.

“Acknowledging feelings, are we?” I teased, though my own nerves weren’t far behind. I’d been bracing for her answer all day, running through every possible response she could give me.

“Rude!” she shot back.

“Maybe I’m a little anxious, too,” I confessed, glancing at her briefly. She was biting her lip, her gaze locked on me. The look she gave me—half amused, half something deeper—threw my pulse into overdrive.

Before either of us could say more, I pulled into the ice cream shop parking lot. Her eyes lit up, and the look on her face went from wanting to eatmeto being ready to demolish a chocolate cone with chocolate sprinkles.

Inside the shop, the cool air hit me, sending a shiver down my spine. Theo shivered, too, goosebumps forming on her neck.

She stepped up to the counter with a bright smile, greeting the girl working there. “Hi! I’ll take chocolate ice cream, a large cone, with chocolate sprinkles, please.”

Smirking to myself, I celebrated a silent victory.

“And for you?” The girl pointed her gloved hand at me as she started scooping Theo’s order.

I stepped closer, pressing gently against Theo’s back as I glanced up at the neon menu. My hand instinctively found its place on the small of her back.

“Cookies and cream with hot fudge, large,” I said.

“Cone or cup?”

“Cup, please.”

The girl nodded toward an older woman at the register. “You can pay down there.”

Guiding Theo toward the register, I kept my hand on her back. She didn’t flinch or brush me off, which felt... natural.

“Good evening! Just the large cup and cone?” the cashier asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said, reaching into my pocket for my wallet.

“Oh, shit,” Theo muttered, rummaging frantically through her purse. Her eyes snapped to mine, wide and apologetic. “I forgot my wallet. I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay, Honey. I’ve got it. It’s my treat.”

“I’ll pay you back,” Theo said firmly.

I smiled at the cashier and handed her a few bills. “Keep the change.”

“Oh, why thank you, young man!” the cashier said brightly, her eyes lighting up as she dropped the change into the tip jar.

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