Page 42 of Last Letters to Ara
“No, don’t feel embarrassed. I just don’t know why anyone would say such a thing toanywoman, but especially to you.”
“It was my ex who told me that. He liked giving me advice for my ‘well-being.’” I shrug. “Things like counting calories to avoid passing my healthy weight threshold, but I just love food way too much to pick what I eat based on a number.”
“He’s an asshole.”
I feel a blush coming so I look down. “I don’t have a lot of experience with guys. I just thought my first boyfriend had been too nice to say anything, but I guess I’m realizing now that it’s just another messed-up Blake-ism.”
“His name should’ve been clue enough, he’s a douche.”
This brings a half smile to my lips. “I said the same thing.”
“If you don’t help me finish off every crumb in that bread bowl, I’m going to consider this a failed date.”
And just like that, Theo takes a subject which has made me feel insecure and unhappy for years and retires it forever.
• • •
Even with the bread, I’m still starving by the time my food arrives, but I’m also certain I willstillbe starving even after dinner. The portion sizes are tiny, and I don’t even know what I’m looking at on my plate.
Designs in variously colored sauces lead up to a dark, gooey-looking mound smaller than my palm, resting on a bed of vegetables that are so fancy I’ve never seen them before. To be honest, I’m not even sure whether they’re supposed to be eaten or are there for decoration.
Judging by the size, I must have ordered an appetizer by accident, but in looking over to Theo’s meal, which is roughly the same size, I realize this is what they consider a meal. Theo’s ordered some sort of steak which is just as tiny, but looks edible which is more than what I can say about mine.
Amusement graces Theo’s faultless features. “You have no idea what you ordered, do you?”
“Not a fucking clue.”
He chuckles. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“But we haven’t even eaten our dinners, and this looks expensive.”
“I’m not letting you eat that. Honestly, this restaurant was a bad idea from the get-go; you don’t care about stuff like this, so I’m not sure why I thought this was the way to impress you.”
“Theo, Iamimpressed.”
“But you’d rather have nachos, no? Or even a hot dog?”
I can’t contain my grin, he already knows me so well.
“I thought so. Let’s go.” He stands, taking me with him. As we walk by the waiter, he pauses to talk to him. “I’m sorry, my girlfriend isn’t feeling well. Please charge the dinner to the Carter tab.”
Girlfriend?Theo mistakes my lurch for alarm.
“Just tonight, remember?” he says, reassuringly, cluelessly. Theo has no idea that it was only a mass eruption of butterflies erupting in my stomach that caused that reaction. Since when do I get excited at the prospect of something so terrifying?
“At least this dinner wasn’t a total waste. At the very least it’ll annoy my father to no end, having to pay for a dinner that wasn’t his to enjoy, making that little field trip good for something.”
“I’d never pass up an opportunity to help you annoy that asshat.” Earning another smile from Theo, I feel like this night truly belongs to us, beginning and ending and traveling where we tell it. “Where to?”
“You’ll see.”
Not even twenty minutes later, we pull up to Taco Bell, sending another stupid grin to my face. Stopping for a crunch wrap supreme in a floor-length gown and tuxedo? A more perfect Valentine’s date doesn’t exist.
I glance over, finding Theo deliciously disheveled. He’s removed his bowtie, allowing himself to unbutton the collar of his shirt. An unexplainable heat shoots through me, despite the cool night air. I’m not worried about my hair being completely ruined from the wind, or that all my lipstick has probably been wiped off. I’m just…present. Enjoying this moment.
Theo circles the car to open the passenger door for me. I step out, bending down to twist my hair into a messy knot on top of my head. Since it’s already windblown, I might as well get it out of the way.
Theo looks at me curiously.
