Page 45 of Someday

Theo deserves a medal for how he’s rolled with this, and I know I should help him get out of here quick, but the thought of sleeping in this house tonight makes my stomach roil.

I turn to Aunt Hilary. “You know what? I think I will go with Theo, but I’ll be back first thing in the morning to have breakfast with you guys. And then you’re stuck with me all day…for however many days you stay,” I say, hugging her and then Abby. “I love having you both here. I wish you never had to go back home.”

Abby and Aunt Hilary exchange a smile and then hug Theo.

They’re both thrilled that I’m leaving with Theo, and I don’t dare look at him to see what he’s thinking about all of this.

We say our goodnights and they stand in the doorway watching us walk out.

“I just need to check the horses before we go,” I say loud enough for them to hear.

“All right. I’ll help you. Shouldn’t take too long,” Theo says. “We can drive back.”

He helps me into the truck, and we wave at my aunts.

As soon as we reach the stables, he puts the truck in park, and I turn to him.

“I was just saying all that to get out of sleeping in the house. You can go. I’ll be fine. Thank you so much for going along with that all night. It was a lot and I hope it didn’t make you too uncomfortable.”

“Are you kidding? That’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time. Did you see their faces when I kissed your forehead? I thought they were going to pass out from too much happiness.”

I laugh and his eyes crinkle with his smile. God, seeing that smile again…it does all kinds of things to me.

“I’ll help you with the horses,” he says, getting out of the truck. “And I think you should come home with me. Who knows if the aunts will come visit the horses or go for a midnight stroll and realize you’re sleeping in here?”

I wave my arm, my laugh nervous. “No, I doubt that would happen, and worst-case scenario, I can just tell them I was worried about one of the horses and decided to stay out here.”

“Aren’t you ready to sleep in a real bed?”

I stop walking and turn to look at him.

He starts nodding and points at me. “Yeah, I thought so. Your eyes are giving away your craving for an actual mattress.”

I shake my head and walk past him, but I’m smiling, and my heart is thudding so hard I’m certain he can hear it.

I don’t know what’s happening between us, but I’m here for the ride. I don’t care how many bumps are along the way, I’m not going anywhere.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

MURKY AND CRYSTAL CLEAR

THEO

As soon as we step inside the house, panic strikes over the realization that I offered to let her sleep here tonight.

Several thoughts are firing at once.

It’s not a big deal.

She needs a night somewhere other than that freaking cot.

What the fuck are you thinking?

Just because you understand more ofwhyshe left, the fact remains thatshe left you for eight years…and who the hell knows what she’ll decide to do next?

I glance at Sofie out of the corner of my eye and she’s looking about as awkward as I’m feeling. She sets her backpack down and looks a little lost.

Fortunately, Fred is the best tension-buster in the world. He shimmies over to Sofie, his tail wagging, smiling as she pets him. I can’t even be mad at him for ignoring me.

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