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With the urgency returning to his desire, I couldn’t think. I could barely even breathe as he touched me as though his world began and ended with me. He whispered promises of love, demanding to have them in return until I couldn’t speak.

Not wanting it to be over, my mind fought against it even as my body rocked to reach it. My body tightened, my heart echoing in my ears. My lips tipped up as I forced out, “Love you, Theo.”

“Love you, Dahlia.”

The rest of his words were lost like whispers in the wind.

???

I looked at my phone for the millionth time that day. Usually, even when he was busy, Theo sent a few texts. I’d woken up to an empty bed and had received a text telling me he loved me this morning before nine. I hadn’t heard from him since, and it wasn’t sitting right with me.

That feeling increased when the door opened and, instead of Theo, his mom stood there.

“Is everything okay?” I asked Rachelle, my mind racing in a million directions.

“Yes, of course. Theo is caught up, but knew I’d be in the area. He asked me to help you pack some things up and take them to his place. I thought we’d grab a late lunch, have some girl time.”

Even though I wasn’t supposed to close for another hour, I nodded. It wasn’t like I got more than a customer or two during that time. Grinning, I handed her a scone. “That sounds amazing. Let me just close up.”

Five minutes later, we were heading for her car, trying to decide where to eat after we finished packing.

When we reached my building, I was a little embarrassed by how scuzzy it looked. Same with how small my actual apartment was. Rachelle didn’t seem to care, or if she did, she didn’t show it. Instead, she opened the suitcases she’d brought for me to use and began putting things in. Of the three she had, we’d only needed one to pack anything of importance to me.

It was sad.

“Ready?” I asked, scanning the place to make sure I had everything I absolutely needed.

“Whenever you are.”

Carrying everything out, I locked up the door and smiled at her. “I have an idea for lunch. How do you feel about baba ganoush?”

“Love it.”

With everything loaded into her cute Mini Cooper convertible, I directed her to Baba’s. When we got there, I debated saying anything to the hostess about Dimos. I didn’t have to reach a decision since he’d seen us come in.

“Dahlia!” he greeted loudly, gesturing us over. “I was sorry to find you weren’t at Weggies anymore. I went back in and barely got any help. I ended up forming a partnership with a new farm and…” He waved his hands around. “Whatever, the important thing is you’re here to eat. Very hungry, or only a small amount?”

Rachelle and I both agreed with keeping it light, and Dimos took off toward the kitchen like he was cooking for the president.

“Usually that stuff only happens when I’m out with Theo,” Rachelle said, a funny expression passing her face as she sat. Just as quickly, though, it was gone.

“I helped him buy a lot of eggplant when I was still working at the store. Alotof it.”

She smiled, looking around the place. “If it tastes as good as it smells in here, I’ll be raving about this place to all my foodie friends. I like it when people appreciate others and show that kind of respect. It doesn’t happen nearly enough.”

My mild hunger grew as we talked and waited. Once the food came, Rachelle didn’t eat much, but she did seem to enjoy it.

I, on the other hand, cleared my plate and was already trying to plan when Theo and I could return.

“Is everything okay?” I asked, watching the way she pushed the food around.

“Yes, of course. Just trying to make sure I save some to bring home for Lou. He always gets hungry late at night. I think he eats most of his food for the day around one in the morning.”

She boxed her barely touched food up and stood. “Let’s get you to Theo’s.”

Putting the roof down on her Mini Cooper, we drove in silence, only yelling over the wind when necessary. It didn’t matter how many times I took the ride, I found myself getting lost in the view as it flew by. The sun beating down on us was an added bonus.

Too soon, we pulled into Theo’s driveway. My stomach dropped in disappointment when I didn’t see the Rover there.