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The honest answer lodged in my throat. “No.”

Theo didn’t seem surprised.

“He didn’t push,” I added. “He just… stayed.”

Silence settled between us, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

“What do you want from him?” Theo asked finally.

I couldn’t lie to him. “I don’t know yet.”

“That’s not true.” When I gave him a sharp glance, Theo didn’t flinch. “You don’t bring someone home unless something’s already shifted.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “We’re having another scene this week.”

“Of course you are.”

I ignored the tone. “It’s safer,” I protested.

“For whom?”

I didn’t answer.

Then I realised Theo was still studying me.

I sighed. “Whatever it is you’re debating asking, just come out with it, for God’s sake.”

Theo’s eyes sparkled. “So what is Quinn’s kink?”

I couldn’t help it. I laughed.

Theo arched his eyebrows. “What’s so funny?”

I smiled. “If joy were a kink? That would be his.”

Theo’s eyes widened and then he smiled too. “Hey, if he finds joy in submission then maybe it is—for him.” He picked up his clipboard, but before he called for the rehearsal to begin again, he added, “Just don’t fight it so hard that you break something worth keeping.”

I didn’t respond.

I couldn’t.

It was close to one in the morning. I should have been sleep, but I couldn’t turn off my brain. On the bedside table, my phone buzzed, and I knew without looking whose text I would see there.

Theo: You awake?

I hit Call. “Yes. Is Cameron asleep?”

Theo let out a soft chuckle. “Yes. I’m in the living room.”

“What do you want?”

“I want to know why you’re fighting this.”

I exhaled. “I’m not fighting anything.”

“You brought Quinn home.”

“Yes.”