Page 106 of Stop and Seek
Theo huffed out something that sounded likea laugh.
But when Noah reached for the door, Theo’s voice stopped him.
“Noah.”
He turned.
Theo’s eyes were soft. Quiet.
“…Thanks.”
“For what?” Noah asked.
“I had fun tonight.”
Noah’s grin stretched wide across his face. “There’s always tomorrow.”
He shut the door behind him with a kind of joy that felt like it buzzed beneath his ribs.
There wasn't only tomorrow. They had so much more time together.
When was the last time Theo looked forward to anything? Not the bland, fleeting,oh this could be a fun waste of time.Reallylooked forward to it. Those anxious-nerves that made his skin tingle and his heart race a little too fast. The pulse pounding, giddy excitement flooding through him was cringe at best but—screw it.
“Are you like, dancing over there?” Alyssa’s voice sounded muffled as hell, competing with the thumping bass line in his ears.
Theo pulled the headphones down, still bebopping along when he turned.
She waved the book in her hand. “Don’t stop because of me. Bust those moves.”
Walking back to the circulation desk—where he could actually see what the fuck Alyssa was holding—he scanned the barcode.
Overdue as shit.
“It’s cheaper to buy this than pay the fine,” he mumbled.
“Your girl has no cash. Card?”
He set his chin on his fist and smiled. “I have cash.”
Alyssa swatted at one of the curled pigtails when they fell in her face.
“Alright, Teddy. What do you need? I got stock.”
“Not here. I have a reputation to uphold.” Theo fluttered his lashes—she punched him in the shoulder, hard enough to sting. “You going to the party… thing tonight?”
“Um, yes? Hello. Why do you think I look like a superstar? For funsies?” Alyssa spiraled part of the curls around her finger.
“Oh my god,” she gasped after a second. “Wait. Hold the phone.You’regoing?”
“Yeah.”
“Did someone put a gun to your head? I’ll beat a bitch.”
Theo patted his palms on the desk, debatingexactlyhow much he should tell Ms. Blabbermouth herself.
“Noah invited me.”
“That’s like,” Alyssa paused dramatically, hand clutched to her chest. “Thecutest thing. I’m so happy you’re getting along with someone.”
