delicious, the drink is free, and the company isn’t too shabby …”
I chuckle and stroke his face again, relishing in the feel of his skin under my fingers. When I look at him, my feelings hit me full force. I like him—a lot. He’s so lovely. Now that Lucas is out of the picture, I can finally move on. See where this goes with Theo, start with a clear, fresh head and see what happens. I’m acutely aware that I’ve only known him two weeks, so this might not go anywhere … but I have hope. Deep down, I now know that even if it doesn’t work out with him, I’ll be okay. I’ve survived worse. I’ve started over once; I can do so again. I believe in myself now. Lucas underestimated me—hell, I even underestimated myself, but I vow, no more. From this moment on, I’m going to stand up for myself and go for what I want.
And right now, what I want is Theo. My fingers trace over his cheek. Judging by the way he makes my whole body come alive, I have a suspicion that I won’t need to worry about starting over. I think he’s right about what he said earlier—being stuck in that lift with him meant something. Only time will tell, and I can’t wait to find out.
His eyes meet mine, and there’s a hopeful glint to them that nearly knocks me sideways. “So, earlier … you kissed me.”
“I did.” I nod and pull him closer, my breath coming out in excited pants.
His arm slips across my body, hand curling around my thigh. “What does that mean?”
“It means, this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
He groans. “Friendship? No, Luce. No more friend-zoning me, please. Come on, take a chance and go on a date with me.” He brushes his nose up the side of mine, setting butterflies the size of fruit bats loose in my stomach.
“Another fake date?” I tease.
“No,” he says gruffly. “No more fake dates. A real one.”
I purse my lips and pretend to consider it. “I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we Rock, Paper, Scissors for it? You win, and I’ll go on a date with you. I win, and we just stay friends.”
A frown lines his forehead, and his lips press into a thin line. “If that’s what you want. Let’s leave it to fate then. See if the karma gods really are on our side.”
Biting back my smile, I bring my hands up, one fist on my palm, and I look at him expectantly.
He nods and mirrors me.
I hold my breath, and my excitement fizzles in my tummy as we thump our hands on our fists.
One …
Two …
On three, we throw our shapes.
Theo’s shoulders slump as I reach out and wrap my paper hand around his rock fist, squeezing gently.
“Friends it is then,” he says, frowning down at my lap as he sighs dejectedly.
Chewing on my lip, I reach out and grip his shoulders, pulling him closer to me. “It’s a good thing I don’t believe in karma, huh?”
His eyes widen, and he raises one eyebrow in silent question, his body stiffening.
“I’d love to go on a real date with you, Theo Stone,” I whisper, not trusting my voice to work.
Immediately, he lights up, beaming a smile over at me that’s so dazzling I’m momentarily stunned, and then he leans in, pressing his lips against mine, arms wrapping around my body, kissing me with so much care and passion that it makes my heart ache.
Now, I feel at home. Right here, in this moment with him. I never want it to end.
I grin against his lips, happier than I have been in years.
epilogue
Lucie
I wake to my pillow moving under my head. Only it isn’t my pillow. I’m lying on Theo’s arm, and he’s trying to discreetly slide it out from under my neck without disturbing me.
I groan sleepily and wrap my hands around his forearm, pulling it back across my torso and pressing my face into the crook of his elbow as I snuggle back against his body that’s spooning me from behind.
“I gotta get my arm back,” Theo whispers in my ear, tracing his nose across my cheek.
I smile and tighten my hold on it, interlacing our fingers. “Nope, this is my arm now.”
He chuckles softly, and it rumbles into my back when he half-leans over me, pressing me down into the soft mattress. As he kisses the back of my neck, I shiver as a wave