Page 55 of Aperture

He is right about one thing. We used to be as close as brothers. That is how I know that he is somehow involved in Sophia’s disappearance. He knows more than he is willing to say, but I’m starting to question if he has been involved with the things happening with Millie. He seems to care for her, but then again, he could just be playing me. If he is telling the truth, then there is something bigger going on. That thought scares the shit out of me.

Chapter 29

Theo returns on Saturday, just like he said, and calls me bright and early.

He’s already committed to going to watch Emmett’s soccer game this morning and he invites me along. It sounds absolutely perfect.

I get myself and Milo ready, and we are already waiting outside when Theo pulls up.

He gets out of the car and rushes toward me, scooping me up in a hug that has me squealing and my feet dangling in the air. The beautiful smile he graces me with has my heart melting just a little right before he leans down to kiss me. His scent invades my senses, warm and familiar, and his lips feel welcoming against my own, soft and firm. His teeth sink into my lower lip, causing me to open for him, and he wastes no time dipping his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. It's like he's showing me how much he missed me. I pour myself into it, grateful that we agreed to put our fight behind us. It’s still in the back of my mind, but I’m doing my best to give him the benefit of the doubt.

After pulling back and giving me his patented grin, he sets me down and rubs Milo’s head. For some reason, Milo is wholly indifferent to Theo. It’s like he can’t be bothered by his presence. My dog is a snob.Who knew?

Despite his surly attitude, he gets in the back of the Bronco, and Theo opens my door for me. Sitting down, I notice a cup of coffee waiting for me, and he has turned on the seat heater. I take a sip and realize it’s one of my favorites.

It’s those little things that I like about Theo. He’s always so thoughtful. I take another sip and sit back in my heated seat.

“Thank you for this,” I say as I hold up my coffee.

“Of course,” he says. “I need my girl caffeinated to watch 8-year-olds play soccer.”

“That bad, huh?” I question.

“It’s brutal,” he grins. “Like herding cats.” He grabs my hand and holds it in my lap. Why is it so sexy to watch men drive with one arm? I think I have a driving kink.

“So, how was the rest of your week?” I ask.

“Not bad. I had to work on locking in a contract with some long-time clients.”

“I don’t think I would do well in sales,” I muse. “I’m not persuasive enough.”

He looks at me quickly with a side eye and squeezes my knee. “You are plenty persuasive.”

He pauses for a second. “Besides, as someone who works for herself, you are in sales. You have to advertise your product and sell it constantly.”

“Hmm. That’s true. You and my best friend, Gwen, are more natural at it, though.”

“Maybe,” he says with a smile, and I catch a small dimple on his right cheek. I reach over and put my finger on it. “That. That is why you are good at sales,” I tease.

“My face doesn’t really help me with these oil guys, unfortunately. They’re a bunch of salty assholes.”

“Well, your face works for me,” I tell him, smiling. “Oh, I talked to Gwen the other day and she is down for the double date idea.”

“With Knox?”

“No, it’s Rex.” We both laugh at our dumb inside joke.

“Sounds good. I’m here for at least two weeks.” He brings our joined hands to his lips and kisses my knuckles before settling them back in my lap. We are finally starting to feel like a real couple.

Once we arrive at the park, I can see what Theo meant. There are kids everywhere. No one seems to be listening and it’s utter chaos. They look less like soccer players and more like small, drunken pirates.

I go back and grab Milo, making sure his leash is tight. It looks like there are about four different games going on concurrently.

“Look for the royal blue team,” Theo tells me. “They are the Blue Lightning,” he says with a chuckle.

“Oh, over there!” I point out.

We make our way over to where some of the parents have set up their chairs. We stop periodically for kids and parents to fawn over Milo along the way. He is gracious with his adoring fans.