Page 62 of Fake Dates and Home Plates
My dad, on the other hand, doesn’t hold back at all. “Fuck ‘em then.”
I choke on my food, coughing loudly. Theo claps me on the back to help and then laughs. “That’s how I feel too.”
I slide my hand under the table until I find his knee, squeezing once.
Mom’s eyes soften. “Well, you’re welcome here any time. Our door is always open.”
Theo’s throat works like he’s trying to swallow around something, but he manages a small smile. “Thank you. That means a lot.”
Later, while I’m helping my mom clean the dishes, she tells me, “Love looks good on you, Henley.”
I’m shocked by her words. “We just started dating, Mom.”
She scoffs. “And? I knew I loved your dad on our second date. He knew on our first.”
I’ve heard the story a hundred times. For a moment, I consider her words.
“It’s too fast.” I shake my head at her.
She smiles. “Maybe. Doesn’t change the fact that you love him. And it certainly doesn’t change the fact that Theo is head over heels in love with you. I could tell by the way he showed up for you at the first meet this season.”
Rolling my eyes, I don’t tell her it was all for show, that we were still pretending. She and Dad have no idea we were faking it.
None of that matters, though. Because when we’re driving home, and Theo starts to sing along to a song from my playlist, I accept that my mom is right.
I’m in love with Theo Barlowe, and he just might love me too.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Theo
Henley packed a small bag of clothes while we were at her apartment earlier, so I drive us straight to my place.
“What the fuck!”
I’m brushing my teeth, listening to Henley curse out her duffel bag, and I can’t help the smile on my face.
She wanted to change into her pajamas, which is going to be difficult, considering I unpacked them when she went to the bathroom earlier. Then, I threw her bag over my shoulder and hurried her out of the house, as if I was worried about being late for dinner with her parents.
“What’s wrong?” I pop out of the bathroom, every bit the concerned boyfriend.
Henley huffs. “Can I borrow a shirt? I swear I packed a pair of pajamas, but I can’t find them anywhere.”
She’ll find them lying on her bed when she goes home, but for now, she has to wear another one of my shirts.
“Of course. Grab whatever you want.”
She tosses on a shirt and joins me in the bathroom, grabbing the toothbrush I have stored on the counter for her.
I let her have some time to herself in the bathroom as I climb into bed. Grabbing my newest book, I remove my bookmarkand continue where I left off. A few minutes later, Henley joins me. She reads over my shoulder while she sinks in and out of consciousness.
It doesn’t take long before my eyes are drooping too, so I put the bookmark in its new place and get comfortable with her tucked into me.
I don’t turn off the light just yet, wanting to face her, but she’s not asleep yet.
“Hey, Theo?” she asks, her voice quiet and vulnerable.
“Yes, sweetheart?” I answer as I brush her hair away from her face, studying her green eyes.
