Because this was fine.
Or at least it would be once I have a chance to talk to Miles.
I turned toward Theo, deciding it would be less awkward to just introduce him than stand there like an idiot. “This is Theo. My?—”
I stopped.
Because who exactly was he to me?
My boss?
My brother’s friend?
Lucy’s brother?
My…friend?
Before I could figure it out, Theo stepped forward.
“It’s nice to meet you,” he said, reaching out and shaking Diego’s hand. “I’m Nora’s boyfriend.”
Then, without looking at me, his other hand found mine—his fingers lacing through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like we’d done it a hundred times before.
My pulse kicked up, my thoughts scrambling to catch up like I’d missed something important.
Theo was actually claiming to be my boyfriend?
In front of all these people?
I turned to him, my eyes widening as I tried to process what he’d just said.
But instead of saying anything, he just let his thumb brush lightly over the back of my hand.
Like he was telling me that he had this and I should just go along with it.
So, as a strange flutter sparked low in my stomach, I tightened my fingers around his.
“Oh,” Diego said, clearing his throat as he took Theo’s intimidating form in. “It’s nice to meet you.”
There was a beat of silence, and I flicked a glance toward Bash and Alessi, who looked just as surprised.
Then Alessi clapped her hands lightly and said, “Well, Bash and I were just grabbing something to drink before heading outside.”
“Yeah.” Bash nodded. “We’ll get out of your way.”
“Oh, you’re not in the way at all,” I said, my brain stilltrying to catch up. “We were actually just going to head upstairs to get everything settled in my room.”
“Just your room?” Diego asked, his brows pulling together as his gaze shifted to Theo. “Are you staying somewhere else this weekend?”
“Oh—no,” I blurted. “We’re staying together. Obviously.” I stepped closer to Theo, hoping that would sell it. “I’m just used to calling it my room since it’s always been mine whenever I’m here.”
I glanced up at Theo, a flicker of uncertainty hitting me.
Was he okay with that?
But as I searched his face, I didn’t find any signs that he was bothered by the idea. If anything, he looked completely at ease.