21. Theo
Theo dreaded having to go back to the tent with Sarah. Everything felt wrong now. He’d gone from enjoying their afternoon together to having her act strangely at dinner… and then she’d turned all super protective when he’d mentioned the bullying—but when he’d made a serious request for her to consider being part of his life, she’d freaked out. It seemed to confirm his worst suspicions—that she was just like everyone else.
Alexis could see that the night was irredeemable and stood. ‘I think I’m going to go to bed.’
‘I’ll go get some water and put the fire out,’ Levi said, heading for the communal kitchen.
‘I’ll help,’ Theo said, following him.
When they were out of earshot of the women, Levi turned to him. ‘Dude, are you okay? I really am sorry I didn’t know what happened in high school.’
‘Don’t feel bad. I deliberately hid it from you. Being pitied is almost as bad as being bullied.’
‘I don’t pity you. I just wish you would have let me stand by your side when those guys hassled you.’
‘There’s nothing we can do about it now. Just know I value your friendship.’
‘Call me if anyone ever does that to you again.’
Theo chuckled. ‘Yes, Mum.’
‘I’m serious. Also, is everything okay between you and Sarah? You’re supposed to be dating, but something feels off.’
‘I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed. I have no idea what’s going on in her head.’
‘Go talk to her. She’s really nice, and I’m not just saying that because she’s friends with my girlfriend. I got to know her pretty well while you were in Europe.’
Theo sighed. ‘I’m worried Europe ruined everything.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I was away for so long just after we met. It’s like she doesn’t know how to act around me.’
‘There’s only one way to fix that. It’s called honest communication.’
‘Wow. You’ve changed a lot since you met Alexis.’
‘And I’m all the better for it.’
‘Okay, okay. I’ll talk to her.’
Levi found a bucket against the wall and filled it with water from the kitchen sink. He carried it back to the fire, and Theo trudged back to the tent.
Sarah was sitting on the bottom bunk, but she jumped up when she saw Theo. She ran over and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘For what, exactly?’
‘For not answering right away when you asked me to be your personal stylist. It was just a lot, and I wasn’t sure if you actually meant it, and?—’
‘Hey, it’s okay. I know you have your own life, and I don’t expect you to do something just because you feel sorry for me.’
Her mouth dropped open. ‘Is that what you think? That I hesitated because I didn’t think you were worthy? Theo! What the hell?’
‘It’s just… that’s how everything’s been my entire life. People are nice to me when it suits them, but when it comes to the crunch, they’re not there.’
Sarah’s eyes welled with tears. ‘I can’t believe you’ve lived your life feeling that way. But what about Levi? It seems like he’s stood by you.’
‘Levi is a good friend, but even he treated me with disdain for a while. I never told him I knew, but it was obvious.’
‘I’m sure that’s not right.’
‘Either way, I shouldn’t have put you on the spot about being my stylist.’
She rubbed his arms. ‘Do you know what my first thought was when you asked?’
‘What?’
‘That I wouldn’t be able to do as good a job as the people your agency hires.’
He stood back and looked at her, surprised. ‘Huh?’
‘Yes, I’m good at what I do, and I know how to run a business, but I’m not up there with the world’s elite. I’ve never left Brisbane. I know how to cater for a niche group of people, but I would be a complete mess anywhere else.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘And you know what else? I’d worry I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if I was working with you. I almost chopped a chunk out of your hair when I last went near you with scissors.’
He smiled. ‘Did you now?’
‘Being a stylist to a world-famous model and fashion influencer is very intimidating.’
‘It’s not. It’s just me.’ He stroked her cheek. ‘And you saw tonight how messed up I am.’
‘I never want to do anything that makes you question your self-worth.’
Theo pressed his lips together. ‘Can I ask you one more thing, and then we’ll drop it?’
‘Sure.’
‘Why did you hesitate at the restaurant when Alexis asked if we were good?’
Sarah frowned. ‘I… I…’ She sighed. ‘I got a message from the stalker while you were explaining the situation. I’d felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, and I quickly glanced at it. I didn’t want to ruin dinner, so I didn’t say anything.’
Theo stared at her, appalled. ‘You got a message then? What did it say?’
‘That he hoped I was having a nice time away.’
‘What? Why didn’t you tell me? Did the message say he knew where you were?’
‘No. It’s possible he just saw me leaving the house. He’d have to be pretty dedicated to follow me up here with a carload full of people.’
‘Damn it, Sarah! You can’t hide these things from us. Especially me. We’re in this together from now on, okay?’
Her voice was small. ‘I don’t want to cause anyone else trouble.’
‘Your trouble is my trouble now. You don’t get a say in that.’ He pulled her back into a tight embrace. ‘What is wrong with us, huh?’
She laughed into his chest. ‘I know. We’ve both got these parts of us we don’t want other people to see.’
‘But I don’t want any secrets between us. You need to be completely honest with me at all times.’
‘Okay. As long as you promise to do the same.’
‘Deal.’
Sarah shivered, and Theo realised the temperature was nearing zero. ‘It’s cold here, isn’t it?’
Sarah looked over at the bed, with its stylish sheets and thick blanket. ‘Should we take advantage of those?’
Theo chuckled. ‘That sounds like something I’d say.’
‘Stick with me, and you’ll hear a lot more classy stuff like that.’
‘I can’t wait.’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘So… are we all good?’
She looked him directly in the eyes. ‘Yes. We’re all good.’
He picked her up and carried her over to the bed, gently dropping her onto the mattress and perching over her. He kissed her deeply, and she pulled him close.
Theo shut off his brain.
He would not think about his past or Sarah’s stalker right now.
The rest of the night was just about Sarah and the present moment.