Just One Look (Castleton Hearts)

“Just make yourself comfortable,” I said as I pet the top of his head. He made a little contented sighing noise and I melted.

“You’re such a sweet boy. I’d love to have a nice doggie like you,” I said.

“He’s a pain in my ass,” Theo said, handing me another bottle. I took it with the hand that wasn’t petting Scout.

“Yeah, I can tell how much you hate him,” I said as Theo settled herself on the other side of the dog, making sure to give him enough room.

Theo glared at me.

“You can’t fool me, Theo. You’re not really a grump. You just pretend.”

Theo was silent for a while before she sipped and swallowed.

“You don’t know anything about me,” she said. Her tone was almost accusatory, and I realized I’d gone too far.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

There was silence as we sat there, the dog between us. I knew I should leave, but I didn’t know how to do that without making things weird.

After too much silence, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I should probably get going. I’ve bugged you long enough,” I said, hoping that Theo would contradict me.

She didn’t.

I maneuvered myself out from under Scout and set my unfinished beer on a coaster on the coffee table.

“Thanks for dinner, it was really nice,” I said. That wasn’t a lie. It had been really nice up until the last few minutes.

“I’ll have an update for you on the bed soon,” she said, her voice kind of robotic. The Theo that had joked with me at the table was gone. The wall was back up and I was shut out.

“Bye, Scout,” I said, pushing the door open and heading to my car.

“It’s like anytime I get even remotely close to her, she slams a door in my face,” I said to my mom later that night when I called her. I couldn’t stop thinking about Theo, so I’d called her to vent. That had led me to having to explain my crush and current frustration.

“It sounds like her heart might be a little damaged. Do you know what her relationship history is?” Mom asked.

“She hasn’t really said much, but I think she definitely has had her heart broken,” I said. It was just a sense I had about her. Like she was protecting a wound. Or maybe I was reading too much into it, but I didn’t think so.

“I think you just need to be gentle and let her come to you. And if she doesn’t want to date you, she’s a fool,” Mom said, in only the way moms can.

“Thanks,” I said with a laugh. “I’ll do that.”

Even being friends with Theo was going to be a challenge, but I thought I was up for it. Hanging out with Theo gave me a respite from my job and house stress. From that very first day, I’d liked being around her, even with all the grumpiness. I found it endearing, and kind of hot at the same time.

There was so much more than met the eye with Theo Harmon and I was determined to uncover every layer.

Chapter Eight

I didn’t hear from or see Theo for the next week. The kitchen was coming along, and I was finally seeing an end to the remodeling. All I wanted was a functioning house. To pass the time, I did more drives through the state, bought dishes and cups and an air fryer and sheets and so forth. Amanda Carr finished my curtains even though I didn’t have rods to hang them on yet. My next step was rugs and throw pillows and art for the walls, but I wanted to wait until my furniture was in before I added extras.

I sent Theo a message, asking about my bed and got a terse message back that she would deliver it next week. She had also started work on the other pieces and, hopefully, I’d have everything delivered in a month or less, which was quicker than she’d quoted me. Part of me wondered if she was hurrying up production so she could be done with me.

Paige and Esme were great about letting me vent when I walked over to their house for dinner or just to hang out.

“She really does keep to herself,” Esme said. “Even when she’s at the bar. I try and talk with her, but she’s pretty closed. I do know she’s close with her brother and her niece.”

That I knew from the dinner I’d had with her. I hadn’t told anyone else about Theo’s cheerleading past, but I enjoyed that I knew something about her that they didn’t.

I sighed and sipped at the incredible blended lemonade concoction Esme had made me.

We were on the back porch that looked out over the bay. A single lobster boat chugged along, and I watched as the lobsterman stopped and pulled up one of his traps.