Page 48 of Titan

“Theia.”

I don’t know why my heart started to beat faster when she smiled at me.

“Visiting Zayn?”

I inclined my head, unsure of what to say now I was standing in front of her.

“Well, I’m sure you’re busy. I should let you go.”

The thought of her leaving made me want to throw something. What the fuck was wrong with me today? I needed to get my shit together. If I wanted to see her, I had to ask.

“Are you around tonight?”

“It’s my day off. I dropped in to speak to Liza about my shifts.” She stared up at me with questioning eyes. “We could do something now though if you wanted?”

“Now?”

“Mmm, like go for coffee.”

When I didn’t immediately tell her no, hope bloomed in her expression. I wasn’t sure if we should see each other outside of the club. I had already crossed a huge line by waiting for her last time. Then again, Theia had trusted me to walk home with her. And she was the one offering to do something with me.

“Only if you’re free. I wouldn’t want to impose on your time. I know you’re busy.”

I’ll be free for you, Theia.

“I’d like that.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. To be honest, I needed to get back to work, but something inside me was baulking at the idea of not getting to spend time with Theia. Edric could hold the fort. I hadn’t told him how long I’d be. Not like Zayn had said exactly what this family meeting was about.

“Shall we?”

She waved at the back door. I nodded again and the two of us left together. She grinned up at me when we left the alleyway as if she was pleased I’d agreed to spend time with her.

“Are you sure you’re okay about seeing me outside the club?” I asked when we got near the café she was taking me to.

It was probably a bad idea for us to hang out like this. I no longer cared about that. Not when she looked so happy to be doing this with me. I wanted to make sure she was okay with it.

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.” She gave me a small shrug. “You’re not exactly a regular client.”

“I know but—”

“I want to spend time with you, Gil, and it’s just coffee.”

She gave me a wink before she pushed open the door to the café. And I was left feeling like this wasn’tjustcoffee. It was the start of something else between us, but I didn’t know what.

Seventeen

Gilberto

I followed Theia into the café. It was decorated in pale greens and had a huge counter with all sorts of baked goods. She got this wide-eyed, excited look in her eyes when she approached it and spied all the cakes. The sun streamed in through the large windows. Her hair caught the light, making her look almost ethereal. It gave me a strange feeling in my chest. One I didn’t know how to interpret. All I knew was Theia’s blue-grey eyes were twinkling, and I couldn’t stop staring at her.

“What do you want to drink?”

It took me a long moment to register she’d asked me a question.

“A black coffee.”

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