Page 48 of Begin Again

Celeste rolls onto her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows. “Sel.” Her voice is light, and breezy, the same way she talks about eyeliner or expensive handbags. “He’s not coming over because of what you’re wearing. He’s coming over because he wants to be here with you. You could answer the door in a trash bag, and the man would still be wagging his metaphorical tail.”

I throw the sweater at her face. She doesn’t even flinch as it flops onto the bed beside her.

“But—” I rub my temples. “What if he thinks this is dumb? What if I say the wrong thing? Or worse, what if I accidentally poison him by undercooking dinner?”

Celeste snorts. “Okay, first of all, spiral much? Baking doesn’t have to be perfect, and you can’t poison someone with cookies. Besides, you’ve made cookies a hundred times before. Just focus on having fun with him.”

I drop onto the bed beside her, burying my face in my hands. “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one trying to impress a guy who looks like he stepped out of an action movie.”

Celeste flops onto her back, staring at the ceiling like it personally offends her. “God, you’re so dramatic. Theo is a golden retriever in human form. He probably already thinks you’re the most amazing person he’s ever met. You could set the kitchen on fire, and he’d just be happy he got to spend time with you while it burned.”

I peek at her through my fingers. “That isnotreassuring.”

She turns her head to look at me, her green eyes serious now. “You’ve got this. You’re smart, you’re funny, and you’ve got that natural charm that makes people love you. Trust me, he’s going to be so smitten he’ll forget his name.”

I exhale slowly, letting her words sink in.

“Fine.” I get up, pulling on a soft, oversized sweater and a pair of jeans. “But if I die of embarrassment tonight, I want you to tell my story.”

She places a hand over her heart. “With flair.”

Before I can roll my eyes, the doorbell rings.

My heart leaps into my throat. Oh God. He’s here.

Celeste grins and flicks a wrist. “Go get your man.”

I give myself exactly three seconds to panic before inhaling sharply, smoothing down my sweater, and heading for the door.

When I open it, Theo is standing there, all broad shoulders and easy confidence, a grocery bag in one hand, and wearing a grin that could melt panties.

“Hey,” he says, stepping forward slightly. “Thought I’d bring some backup supplies. I wasn’t sure if you’d have everything I needed for this little adventure.” He pauses, his grin widening. “Also, I thought you might like to see my baguette.”

Raising an eyebrow, it takes me a second to process that he is, in fact, holding an actual baguette.

I snort, my nerves easing just a bit. “Wow, straight for the bread innuendos. Bold.”

His grin only grows, “Bold is my middle name.”

I let my gaze drift down to the baguette, then back to him, deliberately slow. “And here I was, hoping you’d bring something a little moreimpressive.”

Theo freezes.

For exactly half a second, his cocky expression flickers, and I swear I see his brain buffer.

Then—he throws his head back with a laugh, the kind that crinkles the corners of his eyes. “Damn,” he says, shaking his head as he steps inside. “I was not prepared for that.”

Smiling, I shut the door behind him. “You should learn to expect the unexpected.”

He turns slightly, catching my gaze as he leans against the counter, setting the groceries down. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m very,verygood at adapting.”

I swallow, ignoring the way my stomach does a completely unnecessary flip.

Stepping around him I gesture toward the back of the house. “Right through there. Make yourself at home.”

He brushes past me, and I catch the faint scent of cedar and fresh air after a storm. My cheeks heat as I shut the door and follow him. Stupid, distracting Theo.

In the kitchen, Theo sets his things down and starts unpacking. “Alright,” he says, holding up a whisk, “time to show you more of my moves.”

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