Page 77 of Theodore

He loves to wind me up.

As I opened the bag, my heart skipped a beat. There, wrapped in peach tissue paper, was theMadisondress.

In my size.

Attached was a note, written in the scrawl I recognized as my man’s.

Never want for anything. Theo.

I gasped, pulling the dress out, my heart racing when I felt the silky fabric.

It’s so beautiful.

I slid it on as I heard a soft knock at my door. I opened it to see my brother standing there with a grin.

“Wow. You look amazing.” Ryan whistled as I twirled around, allowing him to zip the dress up for me. “You’re gonna marry him, aren’t you?”

“Please. I’m far too young for that.”

“So, who is Mara going with?” Ryan asked, studying his fingernails as I pretended not to notice.

“Hmm? Oh, Henry. No one serious, but the girl needed a date.”

“Needed?” Ryan echoed, staring at me in disbelief. “Did she not have offers?”

I slid my heels on as I let my hair hide my smile.

“She’s single. The last time I checked, anyway. Why don’t you ask her out?”

Ryan studied me for a moment before shrugging.

“Maybe I will.”

I picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts as I sent Mara’s number to Ryan’s phone.

Mara won’t mind me giving it to him, I’m sure.

“I’m ready.” I grinned.

Ryan glanced up at me from typing on his phone.

“You look great,” he said flatly, moving away so I could push past him.

Walking down the stairs, I saw Theo on the sofa, his eyes drinking me in as I held my hands out to him. He wore a navy suit, and his hair was slicked back.

Theo kissed my hands softly. “Youare delectable,” he murmured as his fingers ran down the dress. “Is this the one?”

“How did you know?! Thank yousomuch,” I gushed as he pulled me close to him.

“Let’s just say Mara has your best interests at heart,” he winked as I made a mental note to thank her later.

Or maybe I already had, I thought, as Ryan smirked at his phone.

“Oh,guys!” Mom choked out, waving at her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

“Get together. This issoprecious.”

I slipped my arm around Theo’s waist as he held me close. We both smiled so wide I felt like my cheeks were going to burst.