Page 103 of The Fast Lane
“Ah, it means,” he shot me a bewildered look, “someone has nice hands.”
“Oh.” Hallie held her hands out. “Am I handsy?”
“Sure.”
Hallie nodded and went back to coloring.
“So, tomorrow, we’ll make it to Portland?” Abe stared into his empty soda glass.
“Yep. Should get there in early evening.” Theo reached for the salt and pepper, leaning into me more than he needed to.
And that’s also when he put his hand on my knee.
I’d somehow managed to sit between him and Abe, which didn’t seem like a bad thing until Theo started to inch closer and closer. I wasn’t even sure he was moving until his thigh pressed against my thigh and his foot captured my foot under the table.
But never once did his facial expression give anything away. Never once did he falter in conversation. I, on the other hand, not so much.
“You okay over there, Ali-Cat?” Mack asked. “You looked flushed. Are you getting sick?”
“No.” I winced as my voice squeaked. “I’m totally fine. Just tired, I guess.”
I shot Theo a pointed look, which he ignored. But his mouth curved into one of those secret smiles and his hand moved a tiny bit higher on my leg, fingertips brushing the edge of my shorts.
“How do you think it will go tomorrow?” Abe ran the back of his hand over his mouth.
“Nervous?” I asked.
“I guess. I don’t know what to expect, you know? They really have no idea I’m coming.”
“Cal wanted to keep it a surprise. He didn’t even tell Frankie because Frankie…”
“…would tell Mom.” Abe grinned. “At least some things never change. He used to be such a tattletale when we were kids. You remember?”
I snorted. “He still is. He is on my ‘need-to-know’ list and there are a lot of things he doesn’t need to know.”
“I love that guy,” Abe said.
I wrinkled my nose. “He’s alright.”
Under the table, Theo’s thumb began to make those little soft circles. I sucked in an audible breath. I knew I’d told him too much during that confession. Damn him.
“Are you sure you aren’t getting sick?” Mack asked.
“I’m fine. I am not getting sick. Actually, I need to go to the restroom.” I shoved at Theo’s arm, urging him to stand.
When he finally took the hint, I scrambled out and hoofed it down the back hallway. Once I got a look at myself in the bathroom mirror, I understood why Mack was concerned. Two bright-red spots had taken over my cheeks. How could one man do this to me with a few small touches? And more importantly, would he do it again? Please.
With a giggle, I pulled open the door and stepped out, right into someone.
“Oh, I’m sorr—” I glanced up and smiled. “Are you stalking me?”
“Maybe.” Theo grabbed my hand and pulled me deeper into the hallway. “I just wanted to do this.”
I thought he might kiss me, which I was more than happy to go along with. Instead, his arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me close, burying his face in that sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder.
“Are you sniffing me?” I asked.
He nodded, still not moving.