Page 58 of What Comes After

“I realize that cleaning houses isn’t exactly a fancy job beyond someone like me being a person who works for someone like you, but I’m proud of the business I’ve built,” I told him.

Theo studied me without saying a word. Maybe he hadn’t expected me to respond the way I had. Perhaps he believed I’d confirm what he was already thinking. Even if I agreed with that assessment, I couldn’t bring myself to not defend what had been the one thing to provide me with some form of stability over the years.

“I don’t understand,” he replied quietly.

I let out a sarcastic laugh, feeling myself grow more and more uncomfortable with what was happening. “That’s because you do what you do and can afford to buy a house like this on a whim,” I reasoned. “There are people in this world who have regular jobs, Theo.”

The moment the words were out of my mouth, I instantly regretted them. I’d allowed my emotions to get the best of me, and now Theo was going to think I was a bitch on top of everything.

“I get the distinct feeling that you’ve got something twisted in your head,” he remarked.

“I don’t,” I assured him.

He cocked an eyebrow. “You do, Devyn. Because I asked you about culinary school, and somehow you turned that into me being critical of what you actually do. Nothing I asked you about had anything to do with the business you run now. I was merely curious if you’d simply lost interest in cooking or if it was something else. That’s all.”

I held his gaze, knowing there wasn’t any way I could write off what he’d just said as him simply wanting to cover his own ass. My words had hurt him, and suddenly, I felt even worse about myself.

I swallowed hard, looked down at my plate, and murmured, “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, me too,” he replied, a clear edge of frustration in his tone. “Let’s just forget about it and finish dinner.”

I didn’t want to do that, but considering I was the one who’d clearly hurt his feelings, I thought it was best to honor his request.

And throughout the rest of dinner, Theo and I didn’t speak. It was a chore for me to eat anything else, which I thought said a lot about mental state given how delicious the food was that he’d made.

But I didn’t want to insult him further, so I sucked it up.

After we finished, Theo took my plate and walked it out to the kitchen. When he returned, he brought my pain medications with him. Setting them down in front of me, he said, “I know things aren’t easy for you right now. I know you’ve suffered through something horrible, and I know you’ve lost someone important to you. And I understand there’s a lot happening here that probably brings up a ton of questions. But I’m trying, Devyn. I’m trying my best to be somebody you can depend on. I’m trying my best to see you through this. Most of all, I’m just trying to be your best friend.”

With that, before giving me a chance to respond, he turned and walked away.

I sat there for a long time, trying not to break down into tears.

At some point, I finally managed to pull myself together, took the medicine, and got up from the table.

I moved toward the stairs, passing the family room on my way, and found Theo there, sitting on the couch. I stopped and watched as his eyes came to mine. “I appreciate all that you’re doing for me, Theo. You’re right. There’s a lot that has happened in the past few weeks, and it hasn’t been easy. But I see everything you’re doing for me, and I appreciate it. I’m sorry for the way I responded to you at dinner. It was uncalled for.”

“Apology accepted.”

Just like that, without any hesitation, he forgave me.

Tears welled in my eyes.

Theo reached his arms out and urged, “Come here.”

What other option did I have? I crossed the room, made it to him, and collapsed into his arms.

Theo held me close to him, his lips pressing kisses to my hair, providing me with love and comfort I hadn’t had in a very long time.

We didn’t say anything the rest of the night.

The two of us stayed like that on the couch for a long time before Theo turned on the television, me eventually drifting off somewhere in the middle of a show.

And when I woke the next morning, I was tucked safely in the bed he’d bought just for me.

I only wished he’d have been there with me.

THIRTEEN

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