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“Little boys?”
I laugh until I realize he’s serious. “You hate them too.”
“They’re small. With boats.”
“Well, you’re going to need something to swim in, right? And you can’t wear suits or long sleeves all week. There’s another swimsuit with pink flamingos and one with green palm trees. I’ll wash everything and pack them for you.”
Theo looks at me for a second too long before saying, “You really didn’t have to do all this.”
“I don’t mind,” I assure him.
“Did you buy anything for yourself?”
“Nah. I’ve got plenty of dresses and swimsuits from last year. Wyatt and I had season passes to the water park…” I trail off. “Anyway, I have plenty of summer clothes.”
“If you’re sure,” Theo says. “I booked our flight and sent the details to Kendall so she could relax.”
“You got our tickets? I was going to…”
“I don’t mind,” he interrupts. “You’re starting over in a new city, which isn’t easy.”
“I’ve been looking for jobs every day,” I tell him. “Not just with bakeries but like retail and all too. I’m sure I’ll find something soon.”
“My offer still stands,” he says but I’m already shaking my head.
“I can’t let you buy me a food truck, Teddy. It would take me the rest of my life to pay you back.”
“You wouldn’t have to pay me back,” he says. “It would be my gift to the world, sharing your sweet treats with others. Tourists would buy up all your cupcakes and cookies before noon.”
I smile but tell him, “I appreciate the thought, but I’ll figure something out on my own. You’ve already done enough by letting me stay with you rent free for months.”
“You’re like a live-in housekeeper, saving me from having to ever do dishes or laundry.”
Cleaning is my least favorite activity.
Wyatt and I lived in chaos together since I worked as much as I could for Monty’s company.
Laundry piled up. Dishes sat in the sink for days.
Theo’s house, on the other hand, always feels calm and organized.
Cleaning a few hours a day is the least I can do to try and pay Theo back since I don’t have anything else to do.
My best friend is a bit of a neat freak. I don’t want him to think I’m even more of a mess than he already does.
“I’m gonna get a shower if you want to order us a pizza,” Theo suggests.
“Sure. The usual?” I ask, meaning with pepperoni and mushrooms.
“Yeah, of course.”
That’s the other thing about Theo. He’s so predictable. His ex told him he worked too much and was boring when they had a fight the night after I showed up, but I like that about him.
He’s steady and reliable. Always has been. Always will be.
Watching Theo disappear into the bathroom should not make me think about entirely inappropriate things.
Unfortunately, my brain doesn’t seem interested in cooperating lately.