Theo’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “That so?”
There was no tension in his tone, but it pressed between the three of us like a slow-building storm.
“Um, where’s Carter?” I tried to change the subject.
“Still talking to Martin.”
“Martin’s here?” Vince asked, and of course, Theo ignored him.
“Carmen,” Theo said gently, but firmly, “can I talk to you for a second?”
My stomach dropped. I sipped my drink, trying to drown the tightness building behind my ribs, then nodded.
“Sure.”
He didn’t touch me again as we walked through the party; he just moved beside me with that silent intensity that always made people step aside without knowing why. The lights blurred around us—soft golds and pale lavenders melting over people in suits, laughter trailing in our wake.
He didn’t speak as he opened the door into the main building, guiding me into a quiet hallway.
He was mad. He had to be.
Doubt: He is. And it’s all your fault.
Shut up!
“I didn’t start talking to Vince, Teddy,” I said as we walked, the words tumbling out faster than my thoughts could keep up. “He started talking to me.”
“Okay,” Theo replied evenly, his eyes ahead.
“We weren’t even talking about anything important. I was literally trying to get my drink, and he started making conversation.”
“I said okay.”
“Teddy. Please. I swear.”
He stopped and turned.
“I believe you, baby.” His voice softened. “I do.”
And then, without another word, he opened the nearest door and pulled me inside.
It was a guest bathroom, dimly lit and too elegant to feel real—black stone counters, backlit mirrors, and a vase of lilies by thesink. Then he turned to me. Eyes dark. His jaw was tight as he locked the door behind us.
“No,” I said quickly, backing up a step as he turned to face me. “We are not having sex in here.”
“Of course, we’re not,” Theo said smoothly, like it was the most absurd suggestion in the world.
“Good,” I replied, lifting my chin.
“Great. Glad we’re on the same page.”
“We are,” I reverberated. “Because that’s disgusting, and we are civilized people.”
“Yes, we are.”
“Exactly.”
Without breaking eye contact, he took the champagne flute from my hand and downed whatever was left of it in one gulp.
