"Jessie?", was the word that shook Jessie out of her reverie. She blinked and looked at Theo with wide eyes.
His face was expectant and hopeful and she knew whatever she said next was going to break him a little.
"Theo, how can I be sure you... like me as you say?", Jessie asked earnestly. "I feel like I know nothing about you. You never volunteer for any information about you and every time I ask, you brush me off."
"So you're holding the fact that I'm not ready to tell you about my past against me", Theo asked, his brow furrowing lightly.
"No. Don't misunderstand me. I'm holding the fact that you can't even give me a direct reply when I ask you anything. I'd honestly prefer for you to tell me you aren't ready. But you always change the subject abruptly", she tried to explain but Theo wasn't having it.
"Jessie, if you don't feel the same way, tell me. Don't make stupid and weak excuses"
"I'm not trying to make excuses!", she cried. "I'm not. I just don't want to get into a one-sided relationship. I don't want to be hurt again"
"What have I done that reminded you of your ex, Jessie?", Theo asked, breathing in deeply and trying to keep a rein on his temper.
The food was already cold as their argument was winding on.
"For one, introducing me as somebody you're helping to Gracie. That stung, I won't lie Theo. I felt like a charity case, a burden"
"I'm sorry, Jessie. I didn't realize I hurt you. I was just indecisive- I still am. I don't know exactly where we stand and- I'm sorry"
"I accept you apology Theo. But I'm still not convinced. I'm not trying to play hard to get. But it's been little over four months since my fiance-"
"Ex", Theo interrupted.
"My EX-fiance cheated on me. And I'm not trying to get into another relationship similar to that one. I mean, look at you and Gracie, you are so attached and I don't want to keep second guessing myself every time you're with her. I don't want to get that knot in my stomach and the hurt that comes along with it", Jessie explained. Her eyes were watery and tears were threatening to fall.
"Gracie and I are not a thing, princess! But you keep bringing up your ex"-stressing on the ex-"fiance so much that I really wonder if you're actually over him"
"Why do we keep jumping from topic to topic, Theo?! I don't have feelings for Patrick anymore. Yes, I thought I loved him but it was only that. A thought"
Theo sighed. "Jessica, listen to me. I don't know what word exactly to use to describe this emotion. Like is too soft of a word and I know it's not love yet. But I know I could love you. I see myself waking up every morning next to your beautiful face. I see myself making breakfast when you're lazy and you bringing me lunch when I have a deadline to respect. What I'm trying to say is, I see a future with you. I know it's not been long, but I've never felt anything like I feel right now and I will never make feel like a charity case or a burden- not intentionally"
Theo took a deep breath after saying his long speech.
Jessie was shellshocked and emotional. She did not think Theo was the expressive type but he had just poured his heart out to her. The tears she had been holding in dropped and she hurried to wipe them.
"Theo, I'm a writer but I can't put my feelings into words as eloquently as you just did. But I want you to know that I feel the same way. I- I... Theo-"
"You don't have to say anything. I understand you", Theo said with a tremulous smile and he wiped the few drops of tears that had escaped her notice.
She smiled up at him, stood on her tippy toes and put her mouth on his. Theo responded almost instantly and both of them were consumed with passion and emotions they had never felt before. It was sensational.
Jessie got out of the embrace and looked at Theo with glistening eyes. Her blue hair was in a wild afro and her lips were red and swollen. Theo was the one to initiate the embrace this time around as he bent and joint their lips to each other.
He put his arms around Jessie's small waist and pulled her towards his pajama clad bottom. The thin material of Jessie's sleep shirt did nothing to stop from feeling Theo's manhood and she gasped in surprise when she did feel it.
Theo took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. He led her blindly to the couch and pushed her onto it, separating their lips.
He looked down into her murkish brown eyes and smiled. She smiled back shyly, then let out a small embarrassed laugh.
This made Theo smile even harder, amused. "Why are you laughing?", he asked.
"Cause I've never felt this much... desire", answered Jessie, looking everywhere but at Theo.
He smiled and lifted her head, meeting her gaze. "Don't be shy to tell me how you feel. Hearing those words from your mouth make me the happiest man. And you'll make me even happier if you told me you'll be mine"
Jessie blushed and put down her eyes. Then looked at him quite boldly and let out a small YES.
Theo's shout of victory was adorable and have found herself laughing. Theo smiled down at her, pecked at her lips two more times then lifted himself from her.
"We're going on that road trip", he said cryptically then literally danced to the kitchen to clear their unfinished food.
Jessie on her side was smiling. She could get used to this...
***
Meanwhile...
"Who are you?"
"I'm your saviour"
"Excuse me?"
"Both of us have objectives. And I have a plan on how to achieve them"