Chapter Five
219 Words
Theo turned out to be sixteen, sarcastic, and far too observant.
Which meant Elena liked him immediately.
“You make Uncle Rowan nervous,” he informed her one afternoon.
Elena nearly choked on her lemonade.
“Excuse me?”
Theo shrugged.
“He gets quiet around things he cares about.”
Something unexpectedly tender unfolded in her chest.
Before she could respond, Rowan appeared carrying lumber.
“What are you two talking about?”
Theo answered instantly.
“Your emotional repression.”
Rowan stared at him.
“Elena,” Theo continued cheerfully, “did you know he punched a guy once because he insulted your prom dress?”
Elena blinked.
“What?”
Rowan looked ready to throw himself into the ocean.
“It wasn’t a punch,” he muttered.
Theo looked delighted.
“It was absolutely a punch.”
Elena turned slowly toward Rowan.
“You got into a fight over my dress?”
“It was a stupid comment.”
“So your solution was violence?”
“He deserved it.”
Elena stared.
Then laughed so hard she had to grip the porch railing.
Rowan watched her with helpless affection.
And for one terrifying second, Elena saw exactly what life with him could become.
Easy.
Warm.
Real.
The realization scared her more than it should have.
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