Chapter 29
Theo and Daphne
"How is it?" Daphne asked, watching Emma take a tentative bite of the dip she'd prepared with Theo. Cooking wasn't her strong suit, but being here at Theo's penthouse, surrounded by his family and friends, had inspired her to try.
Emma chewed thoughtfully. "It's good," she said, slowly.
"Don't lie," Daphne laughed. "I need the truth."
Emma nodded, still chewing carefully. "It could use a bit more salt."
"Thank you," Daphne rolled her eyes. "At least I won't be serving a disaster to everyone."
"Need a hand?" Emma offered, glancing at the chaotic scene on the kitchen island.
"No, no," Daphne shook her head, wiping her hands on her apron. "I've got this."
Emma's gaze drifted down to Daphne's heels. "How are your feet not killing you?"
Daphne grinned. "Oh, I haven't felt my feet in years."
Emma chuckled. "I don't miss that. It's sneakers or nothing for meâespecially if I want to keep up with Sara and Reed."
"They're adorable," Daphne said, a fond smile playing on her lips. "Theo and I are watching them tomorrow night so you and Nate can have a date night."
"I know!" Emma laughed. "You two are so sweet. Nate and I really appreciate it."
"Of course," Daphne replied warmly. "Theo adores them, and honestly, it'll be fun for us too."
Just the thought of spending a day at the zoo with Theo and the kids sent a wave of excitement through her. Her heart skipped a spark flaring in her chest and spreading through her, leaving her feeling warm and giddy. She felt a blush rise to her cheeks and couldn't contain the silly grin tugging at her lips. Nothing could ruin her moodânot even Ava.
"Em?" Ava called, stepping into the kitchen with a wine glass in hand. "Nate's looking for you."
"I'll be right back," Emma said, popping another piece of bread in her mouth and hopping off the stool.
Daphne returned her attention to the dip before her. She was determined to salvage the dish. As she worked, Ava slowly walked farther into the kitchen.
"Thanks for the invite, by the way," she said, clearing her throat.
"Of course," Daphne smiled.
"I hope it's not awkward," Ava laughed.
"Why would it be?" Daphne asked, tilting her head.
"Well, I mean with everything that happened between us," Ava said. "Mainly between Theo and me..... I'm sure you don't like me being here."
Daphne smiled, "That's not true, Ava. I love you being here."
Mainly because I now get to touch him all I want, Daphne's smiled widened.
"Really?" Ava asked.
"Yes," Daphne smiled, taking off her apron.
Her heart fluttered as she set the apron aside, her mind racing with quiet satisfaction. She was genuinely grateful for Ava's presence, though not for the reasons Ava might imagine. The truth was, having Ava around gave Daphne the perfect excuse to be openly close with Theoâto feel the way his arm slipped around her waist in subtle possessiveness whenever Ava was near, or how he leaned into her just a bit more, sending a message only they could understand.
Turning toward the doorway, Daphne allowed herself a quick, victorious smile. "Really, Ava," she said, her tone soft but sincere, "it's nice to have you here."
The words were true enough, and as she made her way across the room, she caught sight of Theo, his dark eyes watching her with a warmth that set her pulse racing. His arm opened in invitation as she approached, and she stepped into his embrace, feeling his fingers press into her side in a way that felt both casual and deeply intentional.
"What took you so long?" he murmured, his voice low enough that only she could hear, his gaze flicking briefly toward Ava before landing back on her.
Daphne's smile softened as she looked up at him, "I was just...making sure everything was perfect," she replied.
Theo's lips quirked in a small smile, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her side as he held her gaze.
"Good," he murmured. "Wouldn't want it any other way."
For once, Daphne was glad Ava was watching because it gave her all the more reason to lean in close, savoring each second of his attention.
For a second, Daphne let the world around them blur. She leaned up on her toes, letting her hand slide up Theo's arm to his shoulder as she drew closer. She saw Theo's eyes widen just slightly, his smirk vanishing as he caught her intention. With a gentle breath, Daphne closed the remaining space between them, her lips brushing his in a tentative, soft kiss.
Theo stilled, then responded, his hand pressing more firmly against her side as he leaned into her. The warmth of his lips met hers, and she felt the spark ignite between them, a wordless exchange that filled the silence around them. His hand moved up to cup her face, his thumb brushing her cheek in a way that made her heart stutter.
When she finally pulled back, her gaze lifted to his, a breathless, quiet moment passing between them. Theo's eyes shone with something unspoken, a gentle promise, and he let his hand linger on her cheek, a thumb tracing lightly along her jawline.
A few seconds passed before the pair was interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throatâa gentle, unhurried sound that came with a warm chuckle. Daphne looked over to see Mason laying on the sofa casually, his easy smile and kind eyes shining with amusement.
"Is my brother treating you well?" Mason asked. "Or do I need to give him a few pointers?"
Theo shook his head, trying to keep a straight face. "I think I've got it under control, Mason."
"Oh, I'm sure," Mason chuckled. "But I have to make sure, you know? I have a reputation for taking care of people."
Daphne tilted her head,"Is that right?"
"Absolutely," Mason replied, his gaze friendly and sincere. "If you need any advice or need someone to show you around, I'm your guy. Theo might be the serious one, but I'm definitely the fun one."
"And what about Levi?" Daphne asked.
"He's grumpy," Mason shrugged.
Daphne grinned, glancing over at Levi, who was engrossed in a conversation on the other side of the room, looking as stoic as ever.
"So, we've got 'fun,' 'serious,' and... 'grumpy.' Quite the trio."
Mason laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Pretty much sums it up. Although, to be fair, Levi has his moments. He's more like... 'selective fun.'"
Theo scoffed, arms crossed, but there was a hint of a smirk. "That's a polite way of saying he's picky about everyone."
Mason shrugged, unbothered. "Someone's gotta keep things interesting. Speaking of which, how's Theo doing? Is he being an attentive boyfriend, or do I need to show him some rom-coms?"
Daphne chuckled, glancing at Theo. "Oh, he's been great. Very... serious, but in a charming way."
Theo rolled his eyes and looked at his brother. "Is this your new gig now? Relationship guru?"
"I'm only part-time," Mason quipped. "I moonlight as the approachable, less scary Silvano."
Daphne raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "Less scary? Are you implying Theo has a terrifying side?"
"Not implyingâconfirming," Mason replied with a wink. Before he could say anything else, Reed came running into the room and jumped onto Mason's chest. Mason groaned in protest as he caught the little boy and rolled to his side.
Theo laughed. He leaned down and patted Mason's shoulder, "Come on, champ. You were the quarterback, remember?"
Daphne chuckled seeing Reed, Mason, and Theo. She remained glued to Theo's side with his arm around her waist as he teased his brother, not allowing her an inch of space away from him. Her hand was over his heart and the warmth of his body made her toes tingle.
As the evening progressed, Daphne found herself be swept away, surrounded by laughter and easy banter as the Silvano family made her feel like one of their own. Her heart swell with a warmth she hadn't expected. Watching Theo and his family, she couldn't help but picture moments like this becoming a permanent part of her life.
Every little interactionâthe way Theo's thumb grazed her waist absentmindedly, the way his parents exchanged knowing smiles as they glanced between them, the way Mason shot her teasing winks and laughed at her jokesâfelt like a piece of a life she could truly belong to. As Theo leaned down and whispered something funny into her ear, her cheeks warmed, and her laugh felt freer than it had in ages.
She glanced around at everyone, her gaze lingering on Theo, whose warmth and charm felt real, unguarded. The idea of spending more nights like this, as though their relationship were real and not just some shared pretense, was both thrilling and terrifying. A perfect life with Theo didn't feel so impossible right now. For a fleeting moment, Daphne allowed herself to imagine itâto imagine being held by Theo for reasons beyond their fake relationship, to feel his love as something genuine and lasting.
As the evening wound down, Theo gently brushed a stray hair from her face, looking at her with a softness that melted the last of her defenses. She wasn't sure if he could read her thoughts or if he even felt the same way, but tonight, none of that seemed to matter. Wrapped in his embrace and surrounded by his family's warmth, Daphne felt like she belongedâlike maybe, just maybe, this love she was pretending could be real.
"Where should we take the kids tomorrow?" Theo asked as Daphne sat on his lap after dessert. They had found themselves in their own little world once again.
"I don't know," Daphne pressed her wine glass against her warm flushed cheek. "What were you planning? The zoo?"
"That would be nice," Theo leaned back in his chair to gaze up at Daphen.
"Ooo, the zoo, huh?" Daphne looked up as Evie teased, coming to lean against the back of Theo's chair. "Didn't realize you two were becoming a full-on family unit now," the blonde continued.
"Yeah, Theo," Emma chimed in, raising an eyebrow at him with a smirk. "Planning playdates? Talking about future outings with the kids? That's practically domestic bliss right there."
Theo chuckled, unfazed, and wrapped an arm around Daphne's waist, pulling her a little closer. "Love makes you do crazy things or something like that right."
Daphne's heart gave an unexpected flutter at Theo's words, and she shot him a quick, surprised glance. The warmth of his arm around her felt both comforting and electrifying, pulling her further into the sweet fantasy they'd created.
Evie grinned, giving Daphne a playful nudge. "What's next? Matching sweaters? Coordinated Halloween costumes?"
"Oh, I'd pay to see that," Emma laughed, crossing her arms as she watched the two. "Daphne, you better tell us if he drags you into a couples' holiday card. I'll bring popcorn."
Daphne laughed, rolling her eyes as she gave Evie and Emma an exaggerated shrug. "What can I say? He's persuasive," she said, resting her head against Theo's shoulder with a small grin.
Theo raised an eyebrow, still unfazed. "I just know a good thing when I see it," he replied smoothly, brushing a thumb along Daphne's hand as if to prove his point.
Emma and Evie exchanged amused looks, then Emma sighed dramatically. "Alright, lovebirds, enjoy your domestic bliss. But we'll be around for any upcoming... family expansions," she teased with a wink.
As they walked away, Daphne covered her face in mock embarrassment, shaking her. Theo laughed softly, his fingers tracing soothing circles on her back.
"They're just jealous," he murmured, his voice teasing. "They wish they had someone as great as you."
The warmth of his words lingered, and for a moment, Daphne almost believed it wasn't just pretend.
_____________________
Lily
Lily trudged down the hallway, her mood as dark as the clouds gathering outside. She clutched her math test in one hand, the big red 68% glaring up at her. Just as she rounded the corner, lost in her thoughts of disappointment, she collided with someoneâhard.
She looked up to see Gabriel, leaning casually against the wall with a smirk plastered on his face, his dark hair tousled effortlessly.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite person," he said, his tone teasing.
Lily rolled her eyes, irritation bubbling up inside her as she brushed past him to the exit.
"What's the matter, angel?" Gabriel asked, following her.
"Leave me alone," Lily tried to stay calm.
"Why aren't you smiling?"
"Because I saw you," Lily's eyes narrowed. "Look, Gabriel. Everyone gets a day off, right? Why don't you take off the day from being a jerk and leave me alone, okay?"
Gabriel chuckled, unfazed by her frustration as he fell into step beside her.
"What are you doing?" Lily asked.
"It's about to start raining," Gabriel said as the sky outside groaned. "I'll walk you to your dorm."
"Are you dense? Or are you stupid?" Lily asked. "Which is it? I keep asking you to leave me alone but you don't get it. In what planet do you think I want you to walk me to my dorm because it's raining?"
"What's the matter with you, angel?" Gabriel asked. "Why are you so cranky?"
Lily bit down on her molars to keep herself from yelling. She took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly, "Fuck off."
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her outburst. "Whoa, that's a little aggressive for just a light drizzle, don't you think?" He leaned closer, as if trying to gauge just how serious she was.
"This is harassment," Lily said. "This is the textbook definition of harassment. Leave me alone or I will call campus safety and I will tell you mom and sister."
Gabriel laughed, "Harassment? That's a strong word, don't you think? I'm just trying to be nice and walk you to safety."
"This isn't nice. It's annoying," Lily retorted, her voice rising with frustration. "You're ignoring everything I've said. I don't want your company."
Gabriel feigned a pout. "But you're so cute when you're angry, angel. How could I resist?"
Lily glared at him, her patience wearing thin. She was ready to turn and walka way when Gabriel suddenly grabbed her hand to stop her.
"Wait, Lily," he said, his tone losing it's teasing.
"What?" Lily turned.
Gabriel held her gaze, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by something more sincere. "I want to ask you something important."
Lily crossed her arms, skepticism etched across her face.
"I can't stop thinking about you," Gabriel said, taking a small step closer. He raised his hand and touched the edge of Lily's face. "I've been trying to leave you alone. But I can't."
"Unbelievable," Lily rolled her eyes. "Are you on drugs? What are you smoking?"
"Shhh," Gabriel held up his finger against Lily's lips. His gaze flickered down to her mouth and he stepped closer. "Have dinner with me tonight."
"I'd rather dine with the New York City rats on dumpster pizza," Lily pushed his hand aside. "Was this your daily entertainment? How sad is your life?"
Gabriel chuckled, "I'm being serious."
"So am I," Lily crossed her arms over her chest.
"You won't go out with me?"
"Not even if you were the last man on this Earth."
"What happened to the other Lily?" Gabriel asked. "The one who turned red as a rose around me."
"She saw right through your games," Lily smirked. "Now, if you will excuse me. I have to get back to my room. I have a date tonight."
"With who?"
"Not you, that's for sure," Lily snorted.
"You're not just saying this to get a rise out of me, are you?" Gabriel asked. "Are you lying about your date?"
Lily raised an eyebrow, relishing in his curiosity. "Nope, it's true. A nice guy who knows how to treat a girl right," she said, letting the words hang in the air, teasingly.
"Nice guy? Sounds boring," he retorted, stepping forward again, undeterred. "But I know you, and I bet deep down, you're dying to accept my invitation. You can't resist a little excitement."
"Excitement? Is that what you call your antics?" Lily shot back, trying to maintain her stern demeanor. "You're delusional."
"And you're in denial."
"About what?"
"That you don't want me."
Lily laughed, "Oh yes, because your arrogance is so hot and I'm so in love with you. My god, Gabriel, yes. How did you know?"
The smirke on Gabriel's face widned, he looked down at Lily as his eyes darkened, "Say my name again."
"Idiot," Lily.
Gabriel chuckled and leaned in closer, his eyes locked onto hers. "You can't tell me that you're not even a little curious about what it would be like to go out with me."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Curious? More like concerned. You're the walking definition of chaos."
"Exactly! And chaos is way more fun than boring," Gabriel replied. "Besides, I promise I won't biteâunless you ask nicely."
"Gross," Lily shot back. "You really think you can charm your way into my heart with those lines?"
"Why not? They seem to be working," Gabriel countered, his confidence unshaken. "You're smiling a little, aren't you?"
"I'm not smiling. I'm just trying to figure out how to escape this conversation."
Gabriel took a step closer, leaning against the wall with a cocky grin. "You know, you're really cute when you're trying to act tough. But deep down, I can see you're intrigued."
"More like annoyed," Lily clarified. "And stop leaning in like that. It's annoying."
"Noted," he said, straightening up but still keeping that maddening grin plastered on his face. "But seriously, what if you give me a chance? Just one date. I'll even promise to keep my arrogance to a minimum."
"No."
"No?" Gabriel leaned back slightly, feigning disappointment. "But what if I promise not to be a jerk for the entire evening? I could even dress up, make it special."
"Dressing up won't make you any less insufferable," she replied.
"Maybe, but it'd definitely make me look good while I'm being insufferable," he shot back, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come on, Angel. Say yes."
"No."
"I'll keep trying until you finally say yes."
"You're unbelievable."
_____________________
Theo
As Emma and Nate said their goodnights and disappeared down the hall to the guest bedroom, Theo and Daphne lingered just outside the glow of the living room lights. Daphne glanced over at Theo, a slight flush on her cheeks, and cleared her throat.
"See you in the morning," she said, her voice steady but a little too formal.
She turned, taking a step away, but before she could get far, Theo's hand slid into her ponytail, his fingers curling into the silky strands and wrapping them around his wrist in a playful grip. Her breath caught as he gently tugged her back, her pulse quickening as her back pressed against his chest. Theo leaned down, his lips so close to her ear that she felt the warmth of his breath as he spoke, his voice low and inviting.
"Where are you going?" he murmured against her ear.
A shiver ran down Daphne's spine as his hand lightly trailed down the length of her ponytail, tilting her head back until her throat was exposed.
"There's a spare guest room, no?" Daphne asked, her eyes on the ceiling as Theo held her hair back.
"Of course there is," Theo said. "But it's not for you."
"This place is too big for us to be sharing a room, Theodore," Daphne said, thought in her mind she begged Theo to argue with her logic. "It's unnecessary."
"What if Nate or Emma wake up in the middle of the night because they can't sleep? Let's say the other one is snoring and they need some peace and quiet. They walk into the spare bedroom and find my girlfriend asleep in there. How will that look?"
Daphne smiled, "Very specific set of circumstances."
Daphne's smile lingered with a playful glint in her eye, her body warm from the close proximity. She shifted just slightly, testing his hold on her, but Theo's grip only tightened, his fingers curling possessively around her ponytail.
"You're overthinking this," she said softly, though inside she could feel her pulse quicken. "It's really not necessary for me to stay with you."
Theo let out a low chuckle, his hand sliding slowly down her ponytail until his fingers brushed against the back of her neck, sending a shiver through her.
"Overthinking?" he echoed, his tone full of quiet amusement. "If anything, I'm making sure everything's perfectly in place. If you're in another room, how can I be sure you're not sneaking away?"
Daphne arched a brow, her eyes glinting as she met his gaze with a smirk. "Sneaking away?" she echoed, feigning innocence. "Why would I do that?"
His lips curved in a knowing smile. "Maybe you want me to follow," he murmured, the intensity in his eyes sharpening as he looked at her, not letting her slip from his grip. His hand dropped to her wrist, pulling her just close enough that her breath caught again.
"Maybe," she said, her voice light but edged with a challenge, "I just want to see if you'll actually chase me."
For a heartbeat, Theo said nothing, only watching her, his eyes tracing over her face, reading every flicker of expression that passed across it. Then, his fingers slowly released her. He leaned in close, his voice a warm murmur against her ear.
"Run if you want to," he whispered, his tone a promise. "But know I'm coming after you."
Daphne's lips curled into a grin, and without another word, she spun on her heel and dashed across the room, laughing as she slipped just out of Theo's reach. He didn't hesitate; the moment she took off, he was right behind her, his laughter low as he chased her around the penthouse.
Daphne darted around the coffee table, glancing over her shoulder to see Theo gaining on her. With a playful squeal, she bolted for the sofa, scrambling over it in a last-ditch effort to put some distance between them. She grabbed a pillow, tossing it at him as he approached, her laughter spilling over as he easily dodged it.
"Really?" he called, smirking as he ducked another pillow she hurled his way. "We're resorting to dirty play now?"
"All is fair in love and war!" Daphne shot back, grabbing another pillow and launching it at him, her aim wild but full of spirit. Theo sidestepped, letting the pillow hit the floor as he closed the gap between them, his grin widening as he lunged.
Daphne shrieked, scrambling back around the sofa, her eyes bright with excitement as she tried to stay just out of his reach. But Theo was relentless, laughing as he chased her in circles, his hands nearly grazing her every time she turned a corner. Daphne felt her heart race as she weaved around the lavish penthouse, throwing another pillow over her shoulder as she ran, her laughter bubbling up as she saw him dodge it with ease.
Finally, Daphne dashed back toward the living room, but Theo anticipated her move and cut her off, grabbing her around the waist as she tried to twist away. She gasped, their laughter mingling as he pulled her close, spinning her around and pinning her against the back of the sofa.
"Got you," he murmured, his voice rich with satisfaction as he looked down at her, his breathing just as quick as hers.
Daphne's grin softened, her cheeks flushed, her breath warm against his face as she met his gaze.
"Yes, we get it."
Daphne and Theo looked up as Emma spoke up from the entrance.
"You're in love," she said, rolling her eyes but the fond smile on her lips was still visible in the dim light. "Now stop making so much noise. I have a four year old and a two year old. If you wake them up, you will face my wrath."
Theo chuckled, glancing down at Daphne, who looked equally amused, trying and failing to stifle her laughter. With a sheepish smile, Theo raised a hand in mock surrender.
"Sorry, Em," he said. "We'll keep it down."
Emma shook her head. "See that you do," she said, with a playful warning look.
Theo's gaze flicked back to Daphne, an almost wicked glint in his eyes. Without another word, he bent down, wrapping his arm around her waist and lifting her effortlessly, throwing her over his shoulder. Daphne squealed, half in surprise, half in delight, her fists playfully tapping against his back as he began to stride confidently toward his room.
"Good night," Theo paused beside Emma and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Don't let the bed bugs bite," Emma said, smacking Daphne's butt.
"Theo!" Daphne hissed.
"Shhhh," both Theo and Emma shushed her.
"You'll wake the kids, honey," Theo squeezed her legs.
"Yeah, honey," Emma laughed. "Go do whatever you want in your room."
Theo chuckled, glancing back at Emma with an amused shake of his head before he continued down the hallway, Daphne still over his shoulder, her indignant huffs only making him grin wider. When they finally reached his bedroom, he eased her down onto her feet, his hands lingering for a moment as her feet touched the marble floor.
Daphne took a breath, her eyes looking around the room. It was just as she'd expectedâsleek and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city lights, casting a soft, ambient glow across the room. The bed was impossibly large, draped in crisp white sheets, and beside it, a low-lit lamp cast a warm, inviting light over a collection of leather-bound books and sleek décor.
Her stomach tightened, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering inside her as she took it all in. She felt the weight of Theo's gaze on her, and when she glanced back at him, his expression was unreadable, his eyes tracing over her face as if seeing something he'd never noticed before.
"What are you thinking?"
Daphne swallowed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's... exactly what I expected," she said.
"Am I that predictable?"
"Or I'm just that good at reading you," Daphne smiled.
Theo didn't reply. His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he gave a small nod and turned toward the bathroom door.
"I put your bags in the closet," he said. "If you need anything, let me know."
"Where are you going?" Daphne asked, a small frown forming on her lips as she realized his feet were turning toward the door.
"I thought you could read me," Theo teased. "Where am I going, Daphne?"
Daphne rolled her eyes, "Work?"
"Wow, you are good," Theo teased.
"It's midnight," Daphne looked toward the clock beside the bed. "Don't you sleep?"
"I sleep better if I know all my tasks are completed," Theo paused and pushed his hands inside his pockets.
Daphne perched on the edge of Theo's bed, her fingers fidgeting as she felt the weight of his gaze. It was an odd feeling, being in his bedroom, a place that felt both private and intimate, and she sensed he was just as aware of her presence in this space as she was of his.
"What tasks are left for tonight?" she asked.
Theo lingered for a moment before answering, still watching her. "We have a meeting with an environmental architect for the project," he replied. "I'm trying to coordinate if they can come to New York or if we'd be better off going to California."
Daphne brightened a little at the mention of travel. "If we go, would you bring November?"
"Of course."
"Then let's go to California." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Besides, you could see Lily. It wasn't the same tonight without her."
A small smile curved at Theo's lips. "Sure," he agreed softly.
"Alright," she said. "Next order of business, Mr. Silvano."
"Your contract," Theo said, his tone slipping back into business.
"Which one?" she teased, raising a brow.
He rolled his eyes. "The one for the project. HR has the paperwork ready. You'll need to sign it."
Daphne nodded, shifting on the bed, her mood gradually softening as the conversation turned serious. "And how long do you think this project will take?"
"Two, three years," he estimated. "Maybe more."
"So I'm bound to your company until then?" she asked, her smile fading as she absorbed the reality of the situation.
"Yes," he chuckled. "And if you do a damn good job, which I know you will, there'll be other projects waiting."
Daphne nodded slowly, her teeth grazing her bottom lip, her gaze dropping. The playful atmosphere gave way to a quieter, more vulnerable one, and her thoughts lingered on what he'd just said. She drew a deep breath, holding it as if steadying herself.
Theo caught the shift in her expression. "What?" he asked, the humor fading from his voice as he noticed her hesitation.
"Just thinking..." Daphne started, her voice almost a whisper.
"About?" His gaze was fixed on her, studying her face with an intensity that made her heart beat faster.
"Our contract," she murmured. "How long... it'll last."
Silence settled around them, heavy and charged. Theo didn't respond immediately; he simply looked at her, his expression unreadable. A tension hung in the air as they both realized the question went beyond business.
"How long do we keep pretending?" Daphne asked.
The words hung between them. Theo's gaze softened as he looked at her. Daphne patiently waited for an answer. But after several long seconds that dragged on in the silence, Theo took a small step back.
"I'll let you settle in for the night," he cleared his throat. "I have some emails I have to answer."
I think we will see more Theo and Daphne in the upcoming few chapters.