Page 22 of Begin Again

Aubrey snorts. “Uh-huh. Sure.” She studies him, her sharp gaze not missing a thing. “Seriously, though. Are you okay?”

He grabs a rag from under the counter and starts wiping down the already-clean surface. “I’m fine, Aubrey. Just been… tired.”

Aubrey watches him for a moment longer, clearly not buying it. “Right,” she says slowly. “You’d tell me if anything was wrong, right?”

Theo flashes her his most charming smile, the one that’s convinced half the town he’s got no worries in the world. “Obviously.”

Aubrey’s expression doesn’t change. She doesn’t press him, but she also doesn’t look convinced. After a beat, she sighs and waves a hand. “Fine. Be mysterious. But don’t think I won’t figure it out eventually.”

Smirking at me, Theo winks. “I wouldn’t dare underestimate you.”

Aubrey huffs, but before she can press him again, he leans against the counter and nods toward the door. “Speaking of things I wouldn’t dare do… I also wouldn’t dare let you overwork yourself any more than you already have. You’ve been picking up the slack for the past few days, Aubrey. Go home.”

She blinks. “Excuse me?”

“Go home,” he repeats, more firmly this time. “Relax. Read a book. Spend some time in your garden. Or hell, just take a nap. But don’t act like you don’t need the break.”

Aubrey folds her arms. “I’m fine.”

Theo gives her a knowing look, not missing the tears in her eyes. “I don’t buy that for a second.”

She exhales through her nose, giving him a long, measured look. Then, finally, she shakes her head. “You really are a pain in the ass, you know that?”

He grins. “It’s one of my best qualities.”

Aubrey glances between the two of us, a flicker of emotion in her expression. Whatever it is, she doesn’t say it. Instead, she grabs her bag, slinging it over her shoulder. “Fine. You win. But if this place burns down, it’s on you.”

Theo clutches his chest dramatically. “You wound me, Auntie.”

Aubrey rolls her eyes but softens just a little. “Try not to do anything stupid, Teddy.”

She heads for the door, pausing only briefly. “Selene, it was nice seeing you.” She says, offering me a small nod. Then she’s gone, leaving behind a moment of silence.

Exhaling, he shakes his head. “Stubborn,” he mutters.

“You’re one to talk,” I tease.

His lips twitch. “Fair point.” He leans against the counter, arms crossed as his hazel eyes settle on me. “So, what exactly was going on before I barged in? You two had your heads pressed together like you were conspiring to take over the town.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “Not quite.”

His smirk lingers, but his gaze shifts—curiosity, maybe even a little concern. “It looked intense.” He tilts his head, studying me.

“Just stories from her past. Things she’s been through.”

Theo’s expression shifts slightly, his easygoing demeanor dimming just a fraction. “Aubrey doesn’t talk about the past much. She prefers to live in the present, as most of the town is aware.”

I chuckle. “I got that impression.”

He watches me as if trying to piece it all together. “And? What do you think?”

I exhale, choosing my words carefully. “I think she’s been through a lot. More than I realized.”

Theo’s jaw tightens for a split second, but then he forces a smile, shifting back into his usual teasing mode. “And yet, she still has the energy to remind me what a disappointment I am for my taste in music.”

I chuckle. “To be fair, that was a bold entrance.”

He grins, clearly pleased with himself. “Gotta keep things interesting.”

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