Thalia and I spent ten hours together, but now that she’s about to exit my Camaro, I wish for ten more. “I want your number,omorfiá.”
Without hesitation, she draws her phone out, tapping on the screen. A moment later, my cell vibrates.
Unknow number: Sas efcharistó gia ton kafé kai to deípno. Elpízo na niótheis arketá arrenopós, allá an den to káneis, boreís na ftiáxeis ton nerochýti pou échei diarroí sto domátió mou. Kalinýchta, Theo.
I’m rendered momentarily speechless when she leans across the middle console, pressing a delicate kiss to my cheek, her lips soft and warm, the kiss light, barely a fucking suggestion, but intense enough to set my mind ablaze.
She yanks the door open and walks off before I come to my senses. It might be for the best... I have the urge to chase her, tear the loose t-shirt and jean shorts off her olive skin, throw her on the bed and cover her naked body with mine.
As soon as she disappears behind door number thirteen, I save her number, copy her text and let Google Translate do the hard work.
Thalia: Thank you for the coffee and dinner. I hope you feel quite masculine, but if you don’t, you can fix the leaking tap in my room. Good night, Theo.
“Good night,omorfiá.”
EIGHT
Theo
WHOSE BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT for me to buy a dog?
I come back to my condo after stepping out for just two hours to grab a beer with friends. It’s Saturday. What else was I supposed to do? Stay home all evening?
Yes. That would’ve been the correct choice.
The currently nameless four-legged little shit used one of the couch cushions as a chew toy. Balls of wool litter the place, and the culprit lays on the carpet, partially hidden under the coffee table, munching my brand-new shoe.
He’s been here less than twenty-four hours, and I’m already two pairs of shoes, a cushion, and a doormat down. Let’s not forget I stepped in a puddle of his pee bright and early. That sure kick-started my morning.
During his unsupervised rampage, he knocked over a plant my mother brought to spruce up the place. I have no clue what to do with the green weed, so like the clueless man I am, I leave it on the floor. Next time Mom visits, she’ll have to replant, or repot, or redo something with it. From where I stand, it looks like the little shit might’ve peed on it too.
Destruction.
All arounddestruction.
I snap a picture of the mayhem, sending it to the Hayes brothers’ group chat.
Me: Who wants a dog?
Shawn: OMG, he’s fucking adorable! Gimme!
Nico: Told you to get a trained German Shepherd.
Logan: I’ve got some shoes he can chew. It is a boy, right? Does he have a name yet?
Me: Not yet, but ‘little shit’ has a nice ring to it.
It’s funny, but it’s not.
I send the picture to Thalia too, because... yeah, I’ve got nothing. I’ve not seen or spoken to her since Wednesday, and my thoughts swirl around the beauty twenty times a day. What’s more, I don’t just imagine her naked anymore. Last night, I stepped into a restaurant in town to grab a quick bite before heading home, and my immediate thought was,this is cool. I should bring Thalia here sometime.
I was so fucking stunned that I almost left the place without paying. I’m even looking forward to golfing with my brothers more than usual because I know she’ll be there tomorrow.
In fact, golfing never sounded more appealing.
Me: “Get a boxer,” you said. So, I did. You want a dog?
With no maid to tend to the mess, I drop to my knees on the plush carpet, wondering why the hell I didn’t buy a turtle.