I nodded, taking the opportunity to look at my reflection in the mirror.
And yikes, I had definitely looked better. My hair was a mess. My eyes were red and stinging from the smoke.
I quickly ran a hand through my hair, hoping to tame my curls somewhat before Theo came back.
“Here you go,” he said when he returned a minute later with a towel draped over one arm and a folded T-shirt and basketball shorts in the other. “These clothes will probably drown you since you’re tiny, but hopefully, they’ll be okay for the night.”
“Thank you.” I managed a small smile as I took them from him.
“But if these don’t work…” He hesitated, running a hand through his dark hair. “I guess there’s a whole wardrobe in Alisha’s closet.” His voice trailed off, as if he wasn’t actually sure about the offer.
“No, that’s okay,” I said, not wanting to put him in the awkward situation of rifling through his dead wife’s pajamas. I hugged his clothes to my chest. “These will be perfect.”
“Okay, great.” He let out a low sigh of relief. Then, hooking a thumb over his shoulder, he said, “I’ll, uh, just shower in the bathroom and then we can meet downstairs to order someclothes that will fit you better and have them delivered first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you.” I nodded again, appreciating his kindness, since I really was at the mercy of his generosity at the moment. “That’s really thoughtful of you.”
After he turned and headed back toward his bedroom at the opposite end of the hall, I slipped into Charlotte’s bathroom, locking the door behind me.
I turned on the shower and stepped under the hot water, letting it run over my shoulders.
The first rinse sent gray water spiraling down the drain.
I shampooed my hair once.
Then again for good measure, breathing in the shampoo that smelled like Charlotte’s hair always did when I brushed it each morning. Like coconut and vanilla.
Like happy adorableness.
I stood there under the hot water, letting the heat work its way into my muscles.
I could have died tonight.
I sighed, pressing my forehead against the cool tile as the water washed over me.
Iwouldhave died if Theo hadn’t been there to save me.
“Do you want to watch something?” Theo asked once we had a few outfits ordered and set to arrive between seven and nine in the morning—he’d insisted on buying me a full week’s worth of clothes by the time we were done. “Just to wind down.”
“Yes,” I said quickly. “Please.”
I should probably be exhausted, since it was nearly two o’clock in the morning, but the events of the night had me feeling wired and restless.
But while the movie was playing on the screen in front of us, I couldn’t have told you what it was about. My body was still buzzing, like the adrenaline hadn’t gotten the memo that I was safe at Theo’s house now.
“Thanks again for saving me,” I said, looking up at Theo, who sat on the cushion beside me.
“I’m glad I was there.” He looked down at me with soft eyes.
“I’m glad you were, too.” I swallowed. Then the question that had been circling my mind all night finally slipped out. “Why were you in my neighborhood that late, anyway?” I hesitated. “Do you usually drive the streets of Eden Falls at night?”
Seemed like a strange coincidence to me.
A strange coincidence I was deeply grateful for.
He stared at the TV for a second before answering. “I was heading home from The Garden. Stopped at Charlie’s for a burger and decided to take the long way home.” He gave me a sheepish look and shrugged. “Didn’t feel like going to bed yet.”
“Why not?”