“Hey.” I kept my voice low. “Rough rehearsal?”
Theo removed his coat with clinical movements, as if each gesture had to be executed precisely or he’d fall apart.
I rose slowly from the couch. “You okay?”
He looked me in the eye. “I’m fine.” For a second, I saw panic flicker across his face before it vanished behind a wall so fast it made my stomach twist.
“You looked shaken today,” I said. “I wanted to check on you.”
“You shouldn’t worry about me.”
Fuck, he sounded soquiet.
I swallowed. “I care. I’m allowed to worry.”
“You shouldn’t worry about me,” he repeated, his voice too tight. “That’s not—it’s not your responsibility.”
I took one small step closer. “That’s not how caring works. Remember what they say? ‘A trouble shared is a trouble halved’? Please,” I whispered. “Talk to me.”
Theo looked at the floor. “I wanted to kiss you again today.” His voice quavered. “Every time I looked at you, I wanted—” He broke off. “I don’t know how to handle this.”
“Handle me?”
Theo shook his head. “No. Me.”
My heartbeat stuttered. “So this is about last night.”
“Yes. And about this morning. And rehearsal. And you. All of it.” He exhaled shakily. “I don’t know how to want someone without losing myself.”
Aw fuck.
“And losing yourself is scary.”
“Yes.” Theo met my gaze. “Because the last time I did, it destroyed me.”
I stepped closer, not touching, but close enough that I felt the heat of him.
“Let me in,” I murmured. “A little.”
“If I do, I won’t be able to let you go.”
“Good.” I stepped right into his space now, our chests almost touching.
“You don’t have to push me away to protect yourself. Or protect me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I don’t know how to believe that.” Theo’s voice broke.
“Then let me show you,” I whispered.
Theo lowered his gaze, and I wasn’t about to let him do that.
I cupped his chin and raised it, looking him in the eye. Fuck,everythingwas right there in those eyes, fear, want, guilt—and longing.
Theo inhaled sharply, but he didn’t pull away.
I traced the line of his cheek with a fingertip. “Just let me be here. You don’t have to do anything.” I stood there, close enough that our breaths mingled, letting him feel the offer without pressure.
Theo exhaled a trembling breath and brought his forehead to rest against my shoulder.