Page 106 of Theodore

Maras sneakers are here.

My brain did the math as I stood, wondering where they were.

The kitchen was empty, as was the lounge.

Surely not...

From somewhere above me, I heard a door open, and a soft giggle I knew too well reached my ears.

She’s here!

I heard the loud footsteps of my brother come towards the stairs first, followed by hers. He sauntered downstairs, wearing just his boxers, his eyes widening when he saw me.

“Hannah!”

“Mom said no girls.” I smirked, noticing his eyes flickering with annoyance as he glanced behind him.

Mara skipped down the stairs, her hair wild and her eyes shining as she stopped, her face flushing crimson when she saw me.

“Just woke up, hmm?”

“Technically, that is kinda true...” she grinned.

Ryan snorted, causing her to elbow him.

“Sorry.” He laughed, sliding an arm around her waist, kissing the top of her head.

“So, when didthishappen?” I grinned as Mara looked up at my brother, her eyes filled with adoration.

“I asked her out,” Ryan said simply, as my mouth fell open.

Ryan asked her out? Just like that?

“Where did you go?” I asked, unsure what to say.

They exchanged a look as Ryan smirked.

“Yeah, I still owe you that date,” he mumbled against her lips as she wrapped her arms around him.

I frowned before Mara caught my confused look.

“Well, we spoke for a while on the phone...”

“Two hours to be exact,” Ryan added as Mara nodded.

“Then I came round, and uh...”

I held my hands up as I grimaced.

“It’s cool, that part I don’t need to know about.”

I made a face as Mara giggled, Ryan’s hand still holding her close to him as I rolled my eyes.

“You can let her go, you know?”

“I can’t.” Ryan sighed as Mara looked up at him questionably. “I’ve watched you go to prom with someone else, go out on countless nights out looking stupidly beautiful, and because of my idiocy, I even saw you the morning after you spent the night with thatprick. I won’teverlet you go again.”

My mouth fell open as I stared at Ryan with a mixture of pride and love.