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Theia nods, taking in what I’ve told her. “I hope for your sake that you’re right. I haven’t seen you this happy since Katie. And if I’m going to be honest, I think you’re more in love with Naomi than you and Katie ever were.”

I can’t keep the grin off my face as she says that. “I really do think Naomi’s my person. Like I can already picture us searching for our first apartment post-graduation. Coming home after a long day at work to dinner and night cuddling on the couch with her? I’m honestly so excited, Theia.”

She squeals in excitement for me. “Oh my god, you’re falling in love with her.”

“Yeah, I think I might be. It’s a bit early, but I can see myself getting there. That’s why I wanted to do something nice for her. I wanted to get her something really sweet for Christmas and then set up something special for when we return after break.”

“What did you have in mind?” she asks as we step into the beauty supply store.

“Well, for her Christmas present, I was thinking about making her a little gift basket of things I know she loves or that remind me of her. Is that too cheesy? It sounds really corny now that I’m saying it out loud.”

Theia shakes her head. “Not at all! I think it’s a great idea actually. It shows that you’ve really gotten to know her and that you pay attention. You should know, women eat that up.”

“You’re right. I’m just second-guessing things at this point.” I nod, searching the store for what I came in for. I grab a couple of the different hair products Naomi uses, a pack of the braid clips she uses in her hair, and a couple bonnets in different colors, including a peach-colored one.

Theia peaks into my shopping basket as I head up to the register. “Oh, you’re getting the good stuff,” she says, nodding her approval.

I blush slightly. “I figured I’d get a couple of the nicer products she uses for the basket and then some of her daily stuff just to keep at my apartment when she stays over, like a bonnet. I already switched my pillowcases out after the first time she spent the night, but I figured I could put some things in my room for her.”

Theia smiles. “That’s so sweet! And props to you for remembering specifically what she uses. Every curly girl has their own product lineup, and not all curly hair has the same needs. I’m sure she and I probably have different routines because of our curl patterns. That being said, I do use a lot of those brands, and they are my absolute favorites.”

I grin. “Good, I’m glad I’m on the right track,” I say as I check out.

I take my bag from the cashier, and we head out of the store. We make a few other stops while at the mall as I finish gathering the remaining items for Naomi’s basket. We both needed to shopfor our parents’ Christmas presents as well, and we were able to kill two birds with one stone.

Before heading back to campus, we decided to stop at Chipotle for dinner. As we’re waiting in line, a voice calls out Theia’s name.

“Theia, is that you?”

We both turn around to see Dr. Bennett standing a few people behind us in line. I give my sister a smirk, leaning down to her ear. “Go get your man. I’ll take care of our orders.”

She gives my arm a gentle squeeze in appreciation before joining him in line. I turn back toward the order counter, telling them both mine and Theia’s orders. Once they ring me up, I grab the bag with our food, returning to Theia.

Theia smiles, subtly leaning in close to Dr. Bennett. We decided to go to the larger mall rather than the one close to campus because it had a better selection of stores, but we were still less than an hour from Pinebrook. She was being careful because the chance of someone from university seeing the two of them, while slim, isn’t zero. “Sage, you remember Dr. Bennett, right? Sam, this is my little sister that I told you about, Sage.”

He gives me a warm smile, holding his hand out. “Sage… The name sounds familiar, outside of your sister bringing you up. You wrote a paper on the archetypes of women in video games, didn’t you?”

I shake his hand, pleasantly surprised. “Yes, I did, actually. I’m shocked you remember that.”

He gives a small shrug. “Your paper stuck with me. It was one of the most well-crafted papers I’ve received from a freshman in the last few years I’ve been teaching that class. Seriously, well done.”

I blush, a little bit embarrassed from the praise. “Well, thank you, I appreciate that.”

Theia smiles. “Sam, you want to join us to eat? We were going to just head back to Pinebrook, but if you were planning to stay and eat…” She trails off as she looks up at him.

He lets out a deep exhale, giving me a cautious glance.

“She already told me all about you two. And for the record, I highly approve of this,” I say, pointing between the two of them.

He gives me a small nod before turning his attention to Theia. “As much as I’d love to stay and spend time with you and your sister, I’m actually chaperoning Hannah and two of her friends. They’re at the nail salon downstairs getting pedicures, a bit of a late birthday celebration. I prepaid, so I figured I’d get in line now, and hopefully, the girls will be here by the time I check out.”

Theia pouts slightly but quickly recovers, smiling at Sam. “I get it. I won’t infringe on your father-daughter time. I’ll see you soon?”

He cups her cheek, and she practically melts into his touch. “Of course, mamas. I haven’t forgotten about our dinner date,” he murmurs, pressing his lips to her forehead before pulling away.

Theia’s practically vibrating with giddiness as she pulls away from him. “Bye, Samuel,” she says softly.

“Bye, Theia, my love,” he returns, dropping her hand.