Page 113 of Darn Knit All
I stared off into the distance, my gaze unfocussed. “But then you pulled it together and helped me. Why?”
“Watching you in action, seeing how passionately dedicated you are, how fucking hard you work, how hard you were fighting despite your fear—you deserved to win.” He cleared his throat. “There was no way I was going to destroy your chance at the prize.”
I shook my head, trying to clear it. “You never said anything.”
“I was going to tell you later that night but we….” he trailed off meaningfully.
A blush touched my cheeks. “We distracted each other.”
“That’s one way to put it.” He swore softly. “I’m sorry, Mai. When we didn’t win and then I didn’t hear anything from Jude, I assumed he’d leave it alone. I should have told you.”
“Yeah, you should have.”
We were quiet for a beat.
“What are we going to do?” I asked, hearing the tremble in my voice. “The network, the media, everyone will be demanding answers.”
“I don’t know. Deny it? We’re a couple, right? Does it really matter about timing?”
“We are but….” I bit my lip, mind racing. “Theo, I don’t want to lie anymore.”
“What are you saying?” His tone sounded guarded.
I took a deep breath. “I’m saying, I think we need to come clean. Admit the truth and let the network decide what they want to do.”
Relief made my knees weak, and I took two steps across the small courtyard to sink onto an old bench.
“But your prize, your reputation—Mai, this could ruin everything you’ve worked for.”
My resolved strengthened. “We need to do what’s right.”
“Give me twenty-four hours, please. Let me fix this.”
I brushed hair away from my face and tilted my head back, staring up at the autumn sun.
“How?”
“Trust me. Please.”
“Twenty-four hours,” I agreed reluctantly. “But, Theo, if this gets any worse?—”
“It won’t,” he promised. “I’ll handle it. Just focus on your internship and leave the rest to me.”
We said our goodbyes and I hung up, staring at my phone screen. The unanswered texts and notifications seemed to mock me. How had everything unraveled so quickly?
“Because you lied.” I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.
Theo and I may have gotten together, but we’d started out as a lie, and I couldn’t deny that fact. I needed to own it.
But first, I needed to trust him.
Sighing, I squared my shoulders and marched back into the studio, determined to throw myself into my work.
Erike glanced up. “Are you done with your personal issue?”
I nodded.
“Good.” Erike gestured at my table. “Shall we get back to it then? I have some thoughts on your color story.”
