Page 62 of Perfect
Fuck him.
“Is it likely that you’ll be found?” Suzie keeps her voice quiet, and I get time to collect myself before answering because our food arrives. I take a deep breath and try to act as normal as possible.
“Uh, maybe. I’m fine for the time being, but there’s a lot of things I can’t do.” Why am I being so honest with her?
“You know that Catherine and I will do whatever we can to help, right? Bailey as well, I’m sure.” I blink hard, looking away from her but nowhere near Theo.
“Thank you, Suzie. You’ve been so kind to me, really. I wouldn’t have anything without your help.” She waves a hand dismissively.
“Bullshit. You have you, and that’s more than enough.” I stare at her, taken aback, and she levels me with a serious look. “You can do anything you want to, Alex. You’re free to live your own life now.”
“Yeah,” I say, feeling hollow. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She clinks her beer glass to mine, and we drink. I excuse myself to the bathroom quickly, holding back my tears until I’m locked in a stall, and then I cover my mouth to dampen the sounds of my quiet sobbing.
I can’t afford for Suzie or Theo to see me this vulnerable, so I force myself to calm down and dry my face. I do my best to make it look like I haven’t been crying, but it’s obvious.
I’m not surprised to find Theo leaning against the wall outside the bathrooms. He cocks his head to the side and frowns when he sees me.
“Sweetheart, are you okay?” I stare at him, getting so frustrated I start tearing up again, and his face becomes concerned. “Alex, what’s wrong? You can talk to me.” He reaches out for me, and I shake my head and walk back to my table.
I apologize to Suzie, telling her that I just get a little emotional sometimes. She nods, looking concerned, but doesn't mention it.
When we leave, I lock eyes with Theo, who looks frustrated.
***
I’m at trivia that night with my friends, and Theo is at the bar, sipping a beer and watching me. First lunch with Suzie, and now this? I’m fucking livid.
I’m trying to pay attention to Jessica’s story about her cousin that’s studying in Italy, who got drunk in Venice and fell into a canal, but Theo’s staring at me with this intense, watchful look, and it’s hard not to be aware of him.
I need to drink a lot more to deal with him.
“I’m going to get another drink. Does anyone want anything?” I take a few orders, and Ben offers to help me carrythem back, but I need to be alone to talk to Theo, so I politely decline.
At the bar, I stand just close enough to talk to Theo without looking like I know him.
“Hi, sweetheart. Are you having fun?”
“Why are you here?”
He shrugs. “I thought I’d make you dinner after trivia. Do you like salmon?” I’m dealing with a lunatic.
“I’m not hungry. Please leave.”
“Why? I’d like to get to know your friends.” I shoot him a dirty look, and he seems surprised.
“Absolutelynot.Don’tcome here.Don’tdo this.” He doesn’t get to trap me and take everything away from me.
I’m not letting that happen again.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm down enough to try a different tactic. “I ambeggingyou, Theo, just let me have friends.”
“I’m not keeping you from having friends, Alex," he says, his voice insulted. "I’m not a fuckingasshole.” I laugh bitterly as the bartender passes over the drinks.
“Prove it. Don’t come here again. I don’t want you to know my friends.” He sighs, exasperated and obviously hurt.
“Great,I fuckingloveit when you shut me out. Do you want help carrying those?”
“No.” I turn away quickly, spilling the drinks a little because I probably did need help carrying them to the table.
