Page 83 of Last Letters to Ara
“Shut up, man. There is no deal to be sealed.” Theo gives his friend a warning look, but Connor keeps laughing and puts his attention back on me.
“Is that true?” Connor raises his eyebrows, daring me to say otherwise.
If I’m honest with myself and everyone else here, I would love nothing more than to seal whatever deal Theo offers me. However, this is neither the time nor the place to say so. I look to Theo for guidance, but he’s staring into his coffee.
I’m on my own here. Awesome. “It’s true. No deal to seal.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Theo relax, creating this weird sinking sensation in my heart. I shouldn’t be surprised. Last I checked, throwing up your guts for an entire night doesn’t get anyone hot and bothered. I just thought this morning, maybe hehadwanted something from me. Did I read it completely wrong? The thought shouldn’t scare me as much as it does.
Connor shoots me a disapproving look as he finishes wiping up the coffee and turns around to flip our breakfast. I look back to Theo, and he’s still focusing on his coffee. It would be nice to have some experience socializing with fellow humans about now.
“So, Theo tells me you’re a musician. What kind of music do you play?” They both notice my awkward change of subject with no relevant segue, but thankfully Connor takes the bait and launches into a detailed description of his art form.
When Connor turns around to scoop the food onto plates, I shoot Theo a hesitant smile to make sure I didn’t totally ruin anything. He smiles back, and from what I can tell it’s genuine.
I go back to listening to Connor and learn everything I can about Theo’s friend. He’s originally from Sydney, plays the guitar and has an alright voice (his words). A little rough around the edges and way too honest, but he has a heart of gold. I can tell.
• • •
After breakfast, Theo drops me off at the bar to pick up my car. My mortification still weighs heavily, but I seem to be the only one aware of it as Theo turns to me with a half-smile that has my heart racing and head pounding.
“Can we never speak of this again?”
“I’m definitely not handing over my license to reference this night.” Theo slowly raises his right hand into the air, followed by the left, so slowly it looks sensual. When he slowly rotates his torso and head as if he’s tossing long hair, I realize he is mimicking a strip tease.
“You asshole!”
He laughs. “I’m sorry!!”
I scramble of out the car, slamming the door behind me. His window lets out a soft whir as it rolls down and he yells, “Come on, Ara! I’m just teasing.”
I turn back toward him for a moment, allowing him a glance of my blush and the hesitant smile, knowing he hasn’t written me off forever. He grins and I struggle to keep my pace even, as the sensation of falling consumes me. I toss a middle finger over my shoulder before I get into the driver’s seat and pull out my phone to text Lou.
Me: I have a level fucking TEN girl emergency.
Lou: I’ll meet you in 5 minutes. Where?
Me: Starbucks?
Lou: Girl, if this is a level 10, we are going to need mimosas, not coffee.
Me: I don’t want to touch alcohol with a 15-foot pole right now.
Lou: Starbucks, it is.
Me: Oh, and make it 20. I’m not at home.
Lou: Oh God, this is going to be so good.
Me: I assure you, it is so so bad.
Lou: Stop, you’re making me drool all over my screen.
This makes me laugh out loud.
Me: I genuinely just LOLd.
Lou: Bitch, get in your car and drive before I die of suspense.
