Page 34 of Between the Lines

Unfortunately, Theo couldn’t see a resolution that wouldn’t end up hurting them both.

Chapter Twelve

Theo spent the night tossing and turning, his mind full of Luca and regrets. Remembering their fight made him antsy, the frustration like an itch behind his breastbone, but remembering the rest of it—Luca’s carefree smile, the assured sweep of his hands over Theo’s body, the remarkable ease Theo felt when they were together—made him sad. Genuinely sad, as if he were grieving a loss. Which was absurd, wasn’t it? They’d only known each other a few days. And yet with Luca he felt a rapport so rare and wonderful he couldn’t bear to let it go. Not yet.

But he didn’t know how to keep it, didn’t know how to move past Luca’s angry demand to be left alone. Didn’t even know whether it was possible. In his experience, people spoke the unvarnished truth when they were angry and Luca had certainly been angry yesterday. Perhaps he really did want Theo to leave him the fuck alone.

By morning, he was no closer to understanding and crawled out of bed groggy and heavyhearted, needing two cups of coffee to kick-start his day. He half hoped Luca might be serving breakfast, but he wasn’t and Theo told himself he was glad. Until he’d decided what to do, it was probably best to stay out of Luca’s way.

In a bid to do just that, he decided to ignore Miranda’s advice about embracing beach life in favor of talking with Jude. Don’s insistence that she needed to sell only supported the snippet of conversation he’d overheard regarding their strained financial and medical situations. Not that he wanted to cut Luca out of the conversation, but ultimately the decision was Jude’s and he figured Don was probably right that she’d rather discuss the facts without her son around. Particularly when she seemed intent on keeping the whole truth from him.

He found her in the hotel kitchen, sitting at a large wooden table working through a meal schedule. Jude was absorbed in her work when he entered, and Theo paused in the doorway, taking the opportunity to study her unobserved. In her late fifties, she looked tired and moved with a listlessness that was no advertisement for the joys of hotel management. He could see why Luca didn’t want to take on the burden, but neither could he shake the idea that had taken shape last night. The Majestic had a spirit it would be a shame to see lost; she got under your skin. Underhisskin, if he was being honest.

“Come and sit down,” Jude said without looking up from her work. “You want some coffee?”

Embarrassed at having been caught loitering, Theo jerked away from the doorway. “Sorry,” he said. “And, no, thanks. I’ve just finished breakfast.”

Jude set down her pen and looked up. Dark circles gathered beneath her eyes, her skin sallow. It occurred to him for the first time that she looked rather unwell. “Did Don send you to talk to me?” she said. “He mentioned he’d had a word last night.”

“We talked,” Theo admitted, taking a seat at the table. The old wood felt smooth under his fingertips, the grain soft. He enjoyed the sensation. “And he’s right, it would be a good idea for you and me to talk business, if you have the time?”

“I never have the time, but I guess now’s as good as any.” She smiled. “You enjoying your stay so far?”

“I am.” Or was, until yesterday’s blowup with Luca. He hadn’t imagined it was possible to miss someone you’d only just got to know, but Luca’s loss felt sharp and painful. “It’s a beautiful place, the Majestic has real character.”

“That she does.” Jude’s smile faded and she said, “I know what I should do, Theo. I’m no fool. I just don’t want to do it.”

He spread his hands flat on the table, making a point of meeting her eyes for a few seconds. “What youwantis for Luca to take over from you.”

“Did he—?” If anything, her expression grew grimmer. “Did Luca tell you that?”

“No.” Theo decided against mentioning his conversation with Luca. “But it’s easy to deduce—of course you’d want your son to take over the family business.”

She turned her head, lips pressed together. Theo felt a flutter of panic when he noticed a sheen in her eyes. He wasn’t good with other people’s emotions. “He always wanted to,” Jude said after a moment, clearing her throat. “As a boy, when it was just the two of us, he’d always talk about when the Majestic was his. Not only when he was a kid, I mean right up until—” She rubbed a thumb under her eyes. “I’m a little tired this morning, I’m afraid. I didn’t sleep well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Jude shrugged as if it didn’t matter, her detachment reminiscent of her son’s. “Has Luca told you why he left?”

“A little.” Holding her gaze was impossible, so Theo let it slip away. Despite their fight, he wanted to give Luca his support. “As a gay man, I understand why he felt he couldn’t stay.”

“Don grew up with some cockeyed opinions, I know that. But he’s tried so hard to connect with Luca over the years, and Luca just won’t—” Her voice cracked and she pressed a hand to her mouth, face crumpling.

Theo’s fingers curled into fists. Shit. Should he go get Don? He was way out of his depth and could feel his heart pounding, hot and uneasy, but he made himself stay, tried to imagine what Grant might say in this situation. Something smooth and charming...? He had nothing. Sweat prickled along his hairline, mouth going dry, stomach twisting.

And then Jude’s bony hand closed around his. “It’s alright,” she said with a watery smile, “you don’t have to console me, honey.”

“I’m not—” He blinked at her, feeling stupid. “I’m not very good at consolation, I’m afraid.”

She squeezed his hand and let go. “I’d hoped he’d change his mind, you see. I’d hoped being here this summer, knowing it was the last, would be enough to make him realize what he was throwing away. And then, when you came, I thought if he could showyouwhat makes the place so special he’d rediscover it for himself.” She sighed, her expression drawn. “Do you think it’s working?”

He wasn’t certain what she wanted him to say, but he guessed the truth was generally the best choice. “I think Luca feels strongly about this place,” he said. “Both the Majestic and New Milton. But I’m afraid I don’t think he’s got any plans to stay.” He darted a glance at Jude’s face, saw the sad set of her mouth. “I’m sorry, but I think Don’s right—you can’t factor Luca into your decision about the future of the hotel. As much as he loves the place, Luca isn’t looking for a home here.” Or anywhere else, apparently. And there was no real reason why that should pinch Theo’s heart, except that sharing a home with someone he cared about was top of his impossible wish list...

Jude didn’t answer, merely nodded as if he were confirming what she already knew, and they sat there in silence until Don came in. He took one look at his wife and his face creased in concern. Theo took the opportunity to retreat, leaving Don to take his place.

He spent the rest of the day exploring New Milton on his own, poking into all the little stores on Main Street—including a used bookstore where he picked up a first edition sci-fi classic for under ten bucks. He bought a postcard of the Majestic for Miranda, which looked like it had been printed twenty years ago, and wrote it while he ate lunch on the boardwalk, letting his gaze roam over the beach.

And there he found Luca, lounging on the lifeguard chair, looking handsome and heroic in his yellow t-shirt. Like a fool, Theo’s stomach gave an adolescent flutter and he indulged in a moment of fantasy. He imagined himself strolling along the beach and Luca jumping down into the sand to meet him with a smile, taking his hand, maybe, in front of the world. In reality, of course, he was uncertain of his reception so didn’t dare get close enough to speak to Luca. The last thing he wanted was a public rejection.

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