Chapter 18 #2
“Isn’t there a vacuum attached to the machine that would help prevent that from happening? And the only reason I know that is because I looked up refurbishing floors yesterday because I was deeply concerned about you getting on all fours and sanding everything by hand.”
“You looked it up?”
That’s kind of…cute.
Wait, no. We don’t associate cute with Theo. There is nothing cute about him.
Not in the slightest.
“I did, and that’s when I saw the giant sanding tool that, honestly, I want to take a ride on. It looks like it would be fun.”
“You don’t ride the sander, Theo,” I say as we make our way down to the beach again. I enjoyed the crash of the waves on our walk yesterday.
“I understand, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to do it.”
“Are you a child?”
“Most of the time.” He winks and then gasps while covering his eye. “Wait, that wasn’t a wink, that was…something was in my eye—”
“I thought you said you wouldn’t lie.”
“Shit…fuck…uh…”
“Just admit that you winked.”
He sighs dramatically. “I’m sorry, I winked. It’s in my nature, just like it’s in Jason Bateman’s nature to wink as well. We’re winking men and it’s going to take a lot to break the habit. Maybe if I’m rewarded when I don’t that will help.”
“Right, and what would you want as a reward?”
“Hmm, great question. I’m a man of few things.” That makes me snort. “What?” he asks.
“Need I remind you about the tassel?”
“For the love of God, that’s a fashion choice, not something I need. I could go without the tassel. Do you want me to remove them when I get home? I’ll rip them right off. Clean off the leather.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Well, consider it done. The tassels will be gnawed off by my own teeth—that way you can tell just how serious I am.”
“Serious about what?”
He goes to answer but then shuts his mouth, pondering. “You know, I can’t really be sure. Unclear what we’re talking about at the moment.”
“Oh my God.” I chuckle.
“I think I might still be suffering from a touch of jet lag.”
“You can’t blame everything on that.”
“Pretty sure I have a week and a half of milking that excuse.”
“A week and a half?” I ask. “Uh, no, I’d say two days, and that time has passed, therefore you can’t use it anymore.”
“You don’t know my body, and you don’t know what’s going on in here. But if you’re interested”—he pauses for dramatic effect—“I can give you a tour.”
“Flirting,” I state and then move past him, walking quickly.
As he attempts to catch up, he yells, “That wasn’t flirting, that was wondering if you wanted a proper education!”
“Morning,” Theo says from where he’s lying across the sidewalk, looking like he spent all night there with his legs splayed out and his arms wide.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying not to let death take me.”
“Are you sick?” I take a step back.
“Yeah, sick and tired of these rules you enforce.” He sits up on his elbows. “The only time I’ve had with you in the last week has been these walks. What happened to my visitation rights?”
“You aren’t taking advantage of them.”
“You aren’t responding to my text messages, so how the hell do I know when and where?”
“You could look around?”
“How is that efficient?”
“It’s not,” I say as I start walking.
He hoists his body up with a groan and chases after me. “Can’t you help a guy out?”
“You know what I’ve been doing the last few days.”
“Uh, no, I don’t. Sure, you’ve been doing the floors at the store, but I went by there around noon yesterday and you weren’t there.
I know you do a bunch of odd jobs, which, by the way, you were supposed to teach me to do—it’s written in the rules, and you have yet to teach me anything other than how to annoy you. ”
“You don’t annoy me,” I say absentmindedly.
“I don’t?” he asks, looking like a puppy who was just awarded a treat.
“No, you’re just…you’re medium.”
He blusters, “Gossy, nothing about me is medium.”
“Oh my God,” I say with a scoff, causing him to laugh.
“Just saying it like it is. Don’t want you to be misguided.”
“And this is why I don’t say anything nice about you.”
“Saying I’m medium, that’s what you’re calling nice?”
I nod. “Yup.”
“Tough critic. I’ll take it though. Maybe you can make me a certificate that I can laminate and wear around my neck that says I’m medium.”
“I’m not doing that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I will not take part in your extra personality.”
“Tough and harsh. I mean, there must be people like you in the world so we’re not all living in the clouds, correct?”
“Would you say you live in the clouds?”
“I’d say I live more in the clouds than on the ground. What about you?”
“I’m firmly grounded.”
“Figured as much, but do you ever allow yourself to live in the clouds?”
“No,” I answer but then realize that’s not entirely the full truth. “Well, I guess I have my moments, but only when thinking about the candy shop.”
“What do you think about?”
“What it will be like when it’s open, all the kids running around excited, the parents trying to calm down their grabby hands. I think about the memories that will be made, what this store will mean to the town, even though some people don’t think about it in the same way.”
“What? A sweets store is the anchor of any small tourist town. How could they not understand the significance?”
“Are you just saying that to get in my good graces?” I ask.
“No, remember, we said no lying.”
“Right.” For some reason, I still don’t believe the sincerity, maybe because most of my interactions with him have resulted in him joking around, or I’m just a jaded asshole that doesn’t believe many people. I can thank my dad for that.
“I can tell that you’re not fully convinced,” he says, surprising me. “That’s okay. I know it’ll take time to earn your trust and I’m okay with that, because I have time and interest.”
This guy.
I don’t think I’ve ever met someone more persistent.
It’s odd.
Kind of weird.
He doesn’t even know me and yet, he’s willing to do so much to make sure he gains my trust and interest. I don’t think I’ll ever understand it, but if that’s how he wants to spend his summer, that’s up to him.
“So do you think I can have a visitation today?”
“You’re having one right now.”
“You know what I mean.” He sighs. “Come on, help a guy out. Are you done with the floors? Let me help.”
“I’m not done with the floors.”
“What can I do?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s okay—”
“Great, so I’m following you all day today until you let me help.
You won’t be able to shake me. Oh, if you need help in the shower, I’m really good at scrubbing body parts.
” He wiggles his brows, and I honestly don’t even have it in me to tell him he’s flirting, because he knows damn well what he’s doing.
He is a naturally flirty man. That was clear from day one.
Even though I firmly believe I don’t have time to date, nor the inkling of a desire to do so, it is actually fun spending time with him.
He’s quick-witted, intelligent, spoiled yet sincere, and genuinely nice.
My life has always been so…focused on doing things right.
To avoid being criticized and mocked. It’s almost as if Theo has made it easier for me to breathe and be myself.
It doesn’t hurt the ego knowing that someone as exceptionally good-looking as Theo is showing interest in me.
Even if I’ll only enjoy this for the next few months.
Maybe it’s just easier to enjoy the amusement and interest. Heaven knows that once my store is up and running, there will be no time to entertain flirty, hot Englishmen keen to wear me down.
So that’s what I’ll do. Allow these short moments of levity to spur me on. I deserve that.