Page 53 of Shelter from the Storm

Sam nodded, glancing at Jace, who said, “She mentioned living in a foster home in passing a couple weeks ago.”

“I’m not even sure if it’s the boss thing or the caveman thing I’m fighting against,” Theo added. “Sometimes, I get the sense there’s something bigger holding her back.”

Maverick moved away from the doorway, perching on an ottoman in the corner. “Something besides her shitty parents?”

Theo nodded. There were a lot of unaccounted for years in Gretchen’s history. She never once mentioned the years between graduation and her arrival here. All he knew was what was on her resume, and that included little more than her work and education history.

“What do you think it is?” Sam asked.

Theo was touched by the concern in his brother’s voice. It was clear it wasn’t just his heart Gretchen had claimed in her short time here. She’d wormed her way into his family’s as well.

Theo rubbed his forehead wearily. “I don’t know. While she’s opened up to me about a few things regarding her past, there’s a big-ass brick wall too tall to scale around the rest of it. She claims she came to Gracemont for a fresh start, but I can’t help feeling like she’s running from something.”

Levi frowned. “If that’s true, she’ll need you to help her through it.”

Theo had every intention of doing that. “I hate that I freaked her out by admitting my feelings so early, but it’s hard to hold back when I can see the future so clearly. We’re perfect for each other, and every fiber of my being knows we’re supposed to be together. This thing between us…it’s meant to be.”

Levi nodded as if what he was saying made perfect sense. “If she’s really yours, really the one, you need to grab her with both hands and hold on until she sees what you do.”

Maverick rolled his eyes. “You two are as bad as Dad with this soul mates stuff. What’s wrong with playing the field? Dating a few years or so? This love-at-first-touch thing is?—”

“True,” Levi interjected.

Maverick wasn’t finished arguing. “It was only true for you and Dad because the women fell back. If Kasi had rejected you, then you’d be singing a different tune.”

Levi smirked. “I’ll bet you a hundred bucks when love comes for you, it’s going to take you down just as quick and twice as hard.”

Maverick grimaced. “I’ll take that bet. Because I’m never going to let some woman tie my dick in a knot, never going to fall in love. It’s not in the cards for me.”

Theo didn’t know how to respond to that, and given the way Levi, Sam, and Jace were frowning, it was apparent they didn’t, either.

Sam turned back to Theo. “So what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. I mean…what if I’ve already fucked up my chance?” Theo forced himself to voice the one thing that had cost him more sleep than he cared to count this week.

“This kiss was a week ago?” Sam asked.

Theo nodded.

Sam tilted his head. “How has Gretchen acted toward you since then?”

“The same,” he said, that question and its response one he hadn’t considered. “She’s acting exactly the same.”

“She’s not avoiding you? Things aren’t awkward?” Maverick asked.

“No. She’s as friendly as ever.” Theo was the one who’d started acting differently.

“Hmpf,” Levi grunted. “So despite the premature caveman act, she’s staying put. Not running away.”

A big-ass grin broke free on Theo’s face. “She’s not.”

Gretchen hadn’t turned down his invitation to last week’s cookout, hadn’t tried to back out on the driving lessons, hadn’t ceased stopping by his office whenever she had a question or wanted an opinion on something work related. She wasn’t even attempting to keep a physical distance, leaning over his computer to look at graphics and schedules and playfully slapping his arm whenever he made a joke.

Levi placed his hand on Theo’s shoulder and squeezed. “Then it sounds like the door is still open. And as long as that’s the case…”

“I can start knocking down the roadblocks.” Theo pulled his phone out of his pocket. “If you guys will excuse me, I’m going to kick the first one over.” He clicked on his contacts, found Nora’s number, and hit call. “Hey, Nora,” he said, as he walked out of the living room, catching the smiles on his brothers’ faces. “I need a favor.”

Theo walked into Whiskey Abbey a couple hours later, a lighter spring in his step, thanks to the talk with his brothers and Nora. Although, he feared he might have permanent hearing damage in his left ear, given the way Nora squeed with delight when he told her why he wanted her to take over as Gretchen’s supervisor.

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