Page 35 of Aperture

“It says, ‘A passionate new romance will appear in your life when you least expect it.’” I blush.

“Does it now?” Theo smirks. “How interesting.”

“OK, Romeo, what's yours say?

“Be careful who you trust. Sugar and salt look the same.” He nods in agreement.

“Wow! What a nefarious little cookie,” I joke.

I get up and start to clear the table, and he jumps up to help me. I put the leftovers in the refrigerator as Theo wipes off the table.

I’ve really enjoyed spending time with him, and I surprise myself by wanting him to stay longer.

“Do you maybe wanna stay and watch a movie?”

“Yes,” he says immediately, flashing me his boyish smile. We make our way into the living room, and I push Milo to the side to make room for both of us on the couch.

“Is your dog OK?” Theo asks.

“Yeah. I think he might be sleeping off a bad trip.”

Theo’s eyebrows rise in question.

“Well, he was acting a little crazy and seemed anxious, so I gave him some anxiety stuff, but he’s been sleeping for a while now. I think I broke him.”

“Nah, he’s just chilling,” Theo says.

He grabs my feet and lays my legs across his lap so we can all fit on the couch, then starts rubbing my feet through my socks as we search for something to watch. Milo opens his eyes as a slow growl emits from his chest. He looks at Theo and recoils.

Theo smiles at him and sticks his hand out for Milo to smell. I watch the interaction with interest. I can’t tell if my new dog doesn’t like my date or if he’s afraid of him.

After a slight sniff of Theo’s hand, Milo jumps down from the couch and falls onto his dog bed on the floor with a thud. He keeps his eyes trained on us the entire time.

“Well, that was weird,” I say. “I just recently adopted him, but I haven’t seen him be unfriendly to anyone else.”

Theo just shrugs, clearly not offended. “I could remind him of someone from the past. Don’t worry. I will win him over.” He smiles, and I don’t doubt he could win anyone over. He’s got a smile that touches his eyes. It’s both boyishly adorable and incredibly sexy.

I slide further down on the couch, so my whole legs are in his lap, and he slides his hands up and down my shins as I change channels mindlessly.

I settle on some dating show where all the contestants are half-naked on a beach, and we spend the next hour making fun of everything we watch. It’s easy and relaxed, although it becomes more difficult to focus when he starts rubbing my legs under my leggings. His big, warm hands knead my muscles, going no higher than my knees before working their way back to my feet. It feels so good to close my eyes and soak in the pleasurable feeling, but I know this is as far as this will go tonight.

I open my eyes and peek at him. “Theo.”

“Yes,” he says, still rubbing my feet.

“Can we talk for a bit?” I move my legs and sit up to face him, grabbing a throw pillow and setting it on my lap as some sort of emotional support object.

“I like you,” I say. “I think you are sweet and funny and obviously adorable.”

“Obviously,” he jokes. “Is there a but coming?”

“No. There is no but. There is an and.” He looks at me with anticipation.

“And, because I like you, I want to be honest. I was recently spending time with someone, and just to be clear, I’m not anymore. But it left me feeling a little raw, and I need to take things a little slower with you, if you’re OK with that.”

“Of course, I’m OK with that, Millie. I like you. You set the pace here. OK?”

I exhale the breath I’ve been holding. I should’ve known Theo would be understanding.