I struggled with a smile, unsure, but as he looked at me, so child-like, his face handsome, eyes full of want, need, and the same hunger I’d clung to for years, I knew I couldn’t say no, no matter what feelings came out of this arrangement.

“Just the summer,” I told him, smiling. “I think you’re worth the risk, Theo.” Then I kissed his cheek, and he nodded with a smug smile, following me out of the neighborhood park.

We were hand-in-hand until we reached the exit, then we went our separate ways, never losing sight of each other, even as we walked on opposite sides of the street. Not even as cars passed by us, quick blurs that meant nothing right now.

When we made it to our houses, entering our front doors, we took one final glance and finally lost sight of one another. Even while he was gone, I knew he still thought of me. Probably just as much as I thought of him.

Knowing it thrilled every single part of me.

Later that afternoon, after hitting the shower and helping Margie clean up the kitchen, I was at the diner on the pier of Bristle Wave with Theo. Like most men would, he ordered a double cheeseburger with extra bacon and cheese and a side order of fries. I helped myself to the honey-glazed salmon, a side of broccoli, and a sweet potato.

“You eat like a girl,” he teased, poking at my fish with his unused fork.

I gave him the evil eye, chewing thoroughly before speaking. “I’m sorry I’m not a brute like you, ordering extra meat and fries.”

“Yeah… I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up on the toilet later on tonight.”

“Oh my gosh!” I gasped. “I’m trying to eat here!”

He busted out in a laugh. “See. Like a true little girl.”

“Whatever.” I sipped my sweet tea. As I placed my glass down, I felt a pair of eyes on me. I’d felt the heavy gaze on me ever since we entered the diner. It was really starting to bug me. I couldn’t not look anymore.

Turning my head a fraction, I spotted a woman sitting in the corner, magazine in hand, and a half-eaten slice of cherry pie on the plate in front of her. She caught me watching her stare at Theo. She looked at me for a brief second before rapidly snatching her gaze away, focusing on her magazine again.

“Do you know her?” I asked. I gestured to my left, and Theo glanced over.

“Not at all.”

“She’s been staring at us since we walked through the doors.”

“She’s most likely curious…”

I thinned my eyes at him. “About what?”

“Us.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Theo’s eyes bounced from mine to the woman again. She was pretending we didn’t exist now, scanning her magazine with swift eyes. “Well, look at us, Chloe. We don’t exactly look like we belong together. I’m much older than you are, and she isn’t going to assume we’re related with how much I’ve been absentmindedly touching you.” He flashed a smile. “I bet she’s been wondering why we’ve been playing footsies for the past thirty minutes.” With quirked eyebrows, Theo’s leg brushed mine, and goosebumps crawled along my skin. Reaching across the table, Theo picked up my free hand, curled it into a fist, and then brought my knuckles to his lips.

A hot flood ran down my throat, sinking deep and pooling in my panties. I blushed ridiculously as he kissed each knuckle while his eyes moved to his right, staring right at the woman that was watching us again.

As if she were shocked, she gathered her wallet, tossed a few bills on the table, and then rushed out of the restaurant, taking one more glance at us before slipping out of the door.

Theo and I laughed out loud, catching the attention of a few guests in the restaurant. Fortunately, they disregarded our silliness, returning to their meals and small chats.

“So, I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Theo straightened up in his seat, his face getting serious.

“What is it?” I aligned my back as well.

He capped one of his fists, his elbows on the table, and hands now on his chin. “I’ve been thinking about putting the house up for sale.”

Shocked, my eyes widened, and I dropped my fork. “For sale? Wow… are you sure?”

“I think it’s time. I mean, I’m hardly ever home, but there’s a reason behind that.”

“And what is it?”

His brows drew together, lips twitching. “It… reminds me too much of Janet.” The sentence came out rushed. His voice was strained, eyes no longer on mine as he scratched his head.

“Oh.” I focused on the wooden tabletop.

“Not that I want to forget about her or anything, it’s just when I go there, I always end up thinking about her. Standing or sitting in certain places, putting on makeup in the mirror in the bathroom, or even cooking her disgusting ravioli in the kitchen.” His laugh seemed to cause him pain. “I thought getting the kitchen upgraded and remodeled, rearranging the bedroom, and even changing the paint in the house would help, but it didn’t. I still feel her. I still think of her. I know you don’t want to hear all of this but—”

“No. Stop. It’s okay,” I assured him. “You can talk about her with me. I cared for Mrs. Black, too.”

He was relieved. It showed all over his face, his eyes sparking.

“You want my honest opinion?” I asked.

“Please?”

“I don’t think you are ever going to be able to stop thinking about her, no matter where you live or how hard you’re trying to move forward in life. It’s natural. I mean, I still think of my Granny Joan sometimes. She was the fun grandma.”

“That’s true, but at least I’ll know that the place I move to wasn’t shared with her. Sort of like starting fresh.” He hesitated for a moment, dropping his hands and running his palms across his jeans. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but we shared a lot of good times in that house, and I hate that I used to have Trixie walking back and forth in there. I feel guilty in there—like I shouldn’t be living freely. Like I still owe a debt to someone that isn’t even alive.” He sighed. “I see her red recliner in the corner of the living room, and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Isabelle doesn’t want it, and I refuse to just throw it out. Janet loved that chair. She’d flip in her grave if she saw it was in a dumpster somewhere.”

“I understand,” I murmured. I looked towards the ocean, allowing an idea to sink in. “Hmm… maybe I can take it off your hands. I could use a chair for my dorm at school.”

His eyes lit up. “You’d do that?”

“Sure.” I waved a hand. “Why not?”

Appreciative, he grabbed my hand again. “You know, you don’t have to do stuff just to please me. You don’t have to always be so generous.”

“I don’t mine, Theo. I swear.”

His head shook, not negatively, but more in a she-is-too-good-to-me kind of shake. “Thank you, Little Knight.” He smiled. I returned one. “So… you think I should move out?”

“I think if that’s what you think will make you happy, then go for it.” I squeezed his hand. “But I will miss not seeing you across the street whenever I happen to be in Primrose.”

His smile was sweet and innocent. “You can always come visit me.”

“Yeah…” My lips twisted. “That all depends on when you plan on moving.”

“Well, see, that’s the thing.” He smirked. “I already found a place. I can move into it in two weeks.”

“Two weeks?!”

One of his cheeks quirked up as he played innocent “Yeah… crazy, huh?”

“So why’d you ask for my opinion if you’d already made a choice?” I laughed.

“Just wanted to see what you’d think. I needed someone to talk to… hear me out and maybe back me up if Izzy throws a fit about me moving to a smaller place.”

“Wait—you haven’t told her yet?”

“Nope. You’re the first person I’ve told.”

“Really?” I lit up inside, grinning like a giddy idiot.

“Yes. I’ll let her know when I’m all moved in…”

“Where is the apartment?”