He hesitated.
“I have a hard time being home alone when Charlotte’s at her grandparents’.” His voice softened. “I probably should’ve gone to my parents’ place since that would’ve been more productive. Definitely healthier than drowning my discomfort with scotch.” He released a small breath. “But, yeah… I went out to drink instead.”
“We all have our coping mechanisms, I guess.” I gave him what I hoped was an understanding look.
“Anyway,” he continued, the corner of his mouth lifting faintly. “While I was driving around, I thought about stopping by to see Lucy.”
“Oh.”
The word came out flatter than Iintended.
Had I been hoping he’d been coming to see me?
That didn’t make sense.
“And then I saw the smoke,” he continued, something flickering across his face. “And I just ran.”
My throat tightened.
“I’m really glad you did.”
The words felt insignificant compared to what he’d done for me tonight.
He’d saved my life.
The fire inspector’s voice echoed in my head.Old wiring. Likely electrical. Probably smoldering in the attic insulation for a while before it fully ignited.
I could have died tonight and never even known it was happening.
My body shuddered before I could stop it.
Theo must have noticed because his arm slid around my shoulders, slow but certain, like he was giving me the option to move away if I wanted to.
But I didn’t.
His chest was solid and warm against my side. And when I trembled again, his arm tightened protectively around me.
“It’s okay,” he murmured.
And for the first time since I’d opened my eyes to smoke and panic, I believed it.
The movie had been playing for at least twenty minutes, but neither of us had laughed or reacted to anything on screen.
Theo’s arm was still around me.
But he was rigid.
Too rigid.
His jaw was tight. His gaze distant.
“You okay?” I asked softly.
He blinked, as if he hadn’t realized I was watching him.
“Yeah.”
I waited.