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But that was last night, and now I had to find him.
We’d woken late, and as much as it hurt to leave him, I needed to get some work done. So far, all I’d managed to do at the tavern was faff about and get in everyone’s way. I’d taken enough advantage of Mauvy’s understanding and good nature, not to mention Woodsy taking care of the bar at the drop of a hat.
After seemingly a hundred goodby kisses, I’d made my way to the tavern and got to work. Secretly, I’d been hoping that Theo would come and keep me company at the bar, especially since I was doing the book work, and it was the dullest, most tedious thing on the planet. By the time lunch had passed without a visit, I’d finally accepted that he wasn’t going to show, and I set aside my disappointment to catch up with the regulars who’d stopped in for a gossip and a beer.
It’s not until much, much later that afternoon, while I am pouring drinks for the minotaur herd who’d just arrived, including Ricky, the big guy Theo had fronted up to, that I find out what is going on.
“What’s with the moving truck?” Davis, a minotaur with cream coloured fur, deadly ivory-coloured horns, and a big barrel chest with an absurd amount of muscles on display, asks curiously. I slide him his drink, a spicy fruit cocktail he is partial to.
“What moving truck?” I wipe down the bench and nod to a group of fae over in a wall booth waving their empty bottle of rose wine in the air.
“Big truck, out back, at Inigo’s old place? We couldn’t see if they were bringing stuff in or taking things out. There is a heap of people there.” Ricky leans on the bar, making it creak from his weight.
I have no idea what he’s talking about. But it is pretty likely that Seldon knows what’s up as he slinks behind me at the bar, shooting death glares at the minotaurs, who it seems are running their mouths.
“What’s going on, Seldon?” I rap my knuckles on the bar, trying to not let my nerves get the better of me, my mind rapidly spinning a bunch of wild conclusions. It’s not like Theo would just up and leave, right? Or, even more unlikely, my parents would just decide to move into the house out of nowhere? He couldn’t be getting takenagain?
No. That’s insane.
Seldon’s eyes dart from me to the kitchen door to the minotaursto the door of the tavern, for the Gods' sake,and finally back to nothing. When he paints that smile on his face, the one he uses whenever he swears he didn’t just hook up with a customer in the staff rooms—despite all evidence to the contrary—and fiddles with the beaded tassels on his shirt, I know not to believe a word that comes out of his mouth.
“It’s nothing.” Thankfully, my employee can read me and my bullshit face perfectly because he rushes on, “Just, let it go. It’s a surprise, okay?” I grunt and give him my shoulder, turning to scrub at the bar, anything to keep my hands busy.
I last fifteen minutes before the curiosity and anxiety gets the better of me. Literally throwing in the towel, I wave down Seldon.
“Man the bar, I’m going to go see what’s going on.” He scrambles after me, begging me to wait, but I shake him off and stomp my way out of the tavern.
My stomach is in knots as I make my way down the path, muttering curses under my breath. Thereisa hive of activity around the house, a moving truck, too. I can see Seff there, talking to two big guys who are unloading things from the big truck parked far too close to the flowerbed Theo replanted just last week. If they aren’t careful they’ll damage the flowers he enticed into blooming.
I spot Caelan and Tor making their way out of the house, Caelan carrying his tool bag, Tor a ladder slung over his shoulder. They carry their loads over to Caelan’s truck, dumping them in the back, but turn right back around, ladened down with what looks like pot plants and boxes.
Whatever scenario I’d conjured up in my stressed and anxious mind, I hadn’t expected this. I still can’t see Theo, but a small spark of hope lights in my chest, chasing away the dark thoughts.Is he moving in?When the two unknown guys enter the truck and come out with that damned peacock bed, I have my answer.
Theo’s furniture is being delivered.
My feet crunch on the path, my pace getting quicker the closer I get. Caelan spots me first on his way back out to collect more things from his truck. He nods in greeting.
“He’s over there,” he calls out, reading my intentions perfectly.
I skid a little in the gravel with my abrupt turn, changing course for my house. The door slams when I open it—it’s been all this time, and I still haven’t bought a stopper for the damned thing.
“You’re not meant to be here yet!” Theo screeches in way of a greeting.
I’ve caught him red handed, my clothes on their hangers clutched in his hands, my meagre personal possessions stacked up haphazardly. I lean on the door frame, arms folded across my chest, ankles crossed casually.
“Whatcha got there?” I chuckle, and he blushes bright red from the tips of his pointy ears all the way down to his chest under his shirt.
“It was meant to be a surprise.” He sounds petulant, and I almost feel guilty for laughing. Almost. I push myself off the door frame and assess the room, straightening one of the books stacked on the coffee table.
My photos, their frames wrapped in old tissue paper, are laid out next to the tower of books. When I reach Theo, I pull him into my arms, giving him a squeezing hug, bending to kiss the crown of his head.
“I’m sorry.” My words are muffled in his copper curls. He mustn't be too mad that I’ve ruined his fun because he hugs me back with one arm, squishing his cheek into my chest, the hangers on my clothes digging into my chest.
“The delivery guys called and Mauvy let me know they were coming and then I remembered all the sheets and curtains and stuff we bought the other day. One thing led to the other and we were going to get it all done and surprise you.”
“And you were moving all my stuff in too?” His cheek rubs against me when he nods, and my heart thuds a little harder.
“How about I help? We’ll get it done quicker that way.” It takes him a moment to consider whether or not to send me back and surprise me anyway, but in the end he agrees.
