Page 48 of Unconditional

ChapterTwenty-Three

THALIA

“We’re here, Thalia,” Greg says, snapping me out of my thoughts.

Thoughts of Theo.

I’m a coward. I know this.

I’ve been avoiding him since I last saw him two days ago. I feel stupid, but I’m scared. I want to hear what he has to say, but I don’t feel that I’m ready to confront everything that happened. What if he tells me something I don’t want to hear, and it sets me back to where I was when I left him? I can’t risk that, no matter how much I love him.

I may have been hiding from him the last couple of days but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been stalking him any chance I get. I watch him as he exercises his horses. Damn, can he ride a horse. I forgot just how much his riding captivates me. His riding is his art. He really is magnificent to watch, and seeing it again reminds me why I wanted to train with him to begin with. Laney has been amazing, and I’m thankful for all her help, but she will never be Theo.

Sighing, I unclip my seatbelt ready to get out of the SUV. I can feel Greg’s eyes on me, and I know he wants to say something. I also know it will be something to do with Theo, but I don’t want to hear it. I’m sure I’ll hear enough when my father arrives in a couple of days.

Opening the door, I step out onto the pavement in front of the restaurant I’m meeting Franny at for lunch. Greg rounds the vehicle and leads me inside. I give my name to the hostess, and she seats me at a table on the open deck that overlooks the sea. It’s beautiful out here. I’ve spent time in Italy before but not here in San Giovanni, Marignano. There is something peaceful and relaxing about this place. Something I haven’t felt in a while. I enjoyed Spain, but I didn’t feel peace like this. I can lie and say it’s Italy, but it’s not. It’s because I know Theo is only around fifteen minutes away from me right now.

“I’ll go and park the car. Stay here.” Greg pins me with a look that dares me to defy him.

“Where am I going to go?” I chuckle. He shoots me a knowing grimace before leaving me alone. A waitress appears and takes my drink order of mineral water then disappears. I pull my cell out of my purse and open the messages from Theo. My thumbs hover over the screen. I want to message him. I want to see him. But I don’t want to get hurt again. Flicking out of the app, I shove my cell back in my purse, my head snapping up when I hear loud footsteps approaching. My mouth pops open, eyes widen, heart races.

Theo.

He pulls out the chair opposite me and sits down.

“Hello, Piccola.” He smirks, no doubt at the look of disbelief on my face.

Snapping out of my shock, I speak. “What are you doing here? Did you follow me? You can’t be here. I’m meeting someone.”

He smiles wider. “Yeah. No. Your little boyfriend is no longer available to meet you for lunch. Because I’m such a gentleman and I didn’t want you to get stood up, I stepped in for him.”

My eyes narrow. “What did you do, Theo?”

His brows raise, an innocent look taking over his face. He points at his chest. “Now why would you think I did anything? I’m just being nice and taking the place of someone who is otherwise...engaged.”

“Franny would not just stand me up. He would call or message,” I state.

Theo’s jaw clenches as he grits his teeth. “Well, I guess you don’t know your preciousFrannyall that well, do you?”

We have a stare off for a long beat, neither one of us wanting to back down. Breaking the silence, I ask, “What do you want, Theo?”

He pins me with a look. “You’re avoiding me.” It’s not a question but a statement.

I open my mouth to speak when the waitress returns with my bottle of water. Her eyes sparkle when they land on Theo, making my fists ball as jealousy courses through me. Theo sees it—of course he does—because he smirks, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Can I get you a drink, sir?” She flutters her lashes seductively and I roll my eyes. I know Theo is gorgeous, but I hate having every woman we come in contact with noticing the same thing.

“Water’s fine, thank you,” he rasps, not looking at her. She pouts before walking away. I watch Theo. He watches me. We’re in a trance. A battle of wills that neither one of us wants to lose.

“You have got to be kidding me,” a familiar voice says, making my head snap up. Greg scowls at Theo and I almost smile. I haven’t seen Greg look like this since we left Wellington.

“Good to see you, Greg. Did you miss me?” Theo teases.

Greg doesn’t answer, just looks at me. “Come on, Thalia, you’re better than this. You moved on fromhim.”

I look between Theo and Greg. Theo looks positively murderous, no doubt because of Greg’s words. Wanting to diffuse the situation I jump out of my chair. “Greg, can you give us some privacy. It won’t take long and then we can go back to the apartment.”

Greg sighs in exasperation. “I’ll wait by the front,” he says, shooting a look of disgust towards Theo before leaving us alone. I drop back down in my chair.

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