"So, let me get this straight." Mum's voice cuts through the kitchen, sharp and incredulous as she chops vegetables. "You haven't confessed to Theo because you haven't had the right time, and it's been three days since you asked me for advice?"

I sink deeper into my seat at the kitchen table, feeling the weight of the last few days crash over me again. I should've been dealing with this by now. Instead, I've been avoiding it, hoping the universe would just hand me a damn sign.

Before I can come up with a response, there's a knock on the door, and Mum calls out without even looking up from her chopping board. "It's open!"

Aunt Jen walks in, Lisa trailing behind her, pushing Joshua in his stroller. She's got that easy confidence about her that makes everything look effortless.

"Lils," Aunt Jen calls, her voice warm as she slides a five-pound note across the counter to my mum. I watch, puzzled.

"Isla, baby, I bet your mum that you wouldn't figure out your feelings for Theo until you graduated university, and she bet before that," Aunt Jen adds, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

I freeze.

Mum looks over at me, raising an eyebrow. "Well, it's a good thing I'm about to win, then."

My face flushes, and I glance between the two of them. "Wait—what? You both bet on me?"

Aunt Jen laughs. "You've been in denial for years, love. We had to place our bets. Don't look so shocked. We both knew it was just a matter of time before you'd figure it out."

Mum shakes her head, smiling but still with that knowing glint in her eye. "And I was right, as usual."

I feel the heat of their teasing press down on me, the reality of the situation crashing in. It's not just about Theo anymore—it's about everyone around me seeing it but me.

"Alright, alright, I get it," I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling like I'm sixteen again, getting caught in some embarrassing moment I can't escape.

Aunt Jen raises her hands in mock surrender. "Hey, no judgment here, kid. We just knew."

I turn to look at Mum, who's still chopping away, but now with a satisfied little grin on her face. "Seriously? You bet on this?"

Mum shrugs nonchalantly, glancing up. "What can I say? I'm a woman of many talents, and one of them is knowing my daughter's heart better than she does."

I groan and slump back in my chair, burying my face in my hands. "I can't even—"

Aunt Jen's laughter rings out, and she sits down at the table, the warmth of her presence filling the room. "You don't have to have it all figured out today, Isla. But you need to admit it to yourself, at least."

I look up, meeting her gaze. "I know, okay? But that doesn't make it any easier."

Mum's smile softens, and she walks over to squeeze my shoulder. "I'm not saying it will be easy, darling. But I've never seen two people who should be together more than you and Theo."

I let out a shaky breath. "I don't want to mess things up."

Aunt Jen raises an eyebrow. "You already have, honey. You're way past that point."

Mum nods, turning back to the stove, her voice soft but sure. "But that's not the same as ruining everything. You've got to take the leap, Isla."

I glance at both of them, their words sinking in deeper than I'm willing to admit. My stomach does a flip at the thought of telling Theo the truth, but somewhere deep down, I know it's the only way forward.

The room goes quiet for a moment, the only sound the soft hum of the kettle boiling. And then, like a lightbulb flicking on in my head, I know.

Maybe it's time to stop pretending I don't feel it. Maybe it's time to stop running from something that's been so obvious to everyone else.

I'm in love with Theo.

******

The dinner table is set by the time Theo arrives, and the smell of Mum's famous roast chicken fills the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation.

Aunt Jen and Lisa are already seated, Lisa playing peek-a-boo with Joshua in his highchair, and Mum's busy arranging the food in the kitchen. I'm trying my best to stay composed, but the pressure from earlier is still weighing on me.

The doorbell rings, and I stand up to answer it, but Mum beats me to it. "Theo!" she calls as she opens the door, greeting him with a warm smile.

"Hope I'm not late," Theo says, stepping into the entryway with a sheepish grin. He's dressed casually, his usual laid-back look making me feel both relieved and more anxious at the same time.

"Nope, just in time for dinner," Mum assures him, waving him into the kitchen.

Theo makes his way to the table, glancing around at the group before his eyes land on me.

"I'm sorry my parents couldn't make it—something about meeting my grandparents in America. You know how they are," he adds, chuckling.

"No worries," I mumble, my heart pounding in my chest for reasons I can't quite explain.

"So, where's Matteo?" Theo asks as he takes a seat beside me.

I swallow, trying to keep it together. "He's sleeping over at his friend's house," I answer quickly, hoping the subject will shift.

"Ah, well, more chicken for the rest of us then!" Aunt Jen grins, scooping a hefty serving of roast onto her plate.

I start to eat, hoping the food will settle my nerves, but Aunt Jen has other plans. She leans over to Theo with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"So, Theo," she starts casually, "how are you holding up with Isla still playing hard to get?"

I choke on my drink, my face turning bright red. "Aunt Jen, don't!"

Aunt Jen just laughs, her eyes twinkling with delight.

"I'm just saying, it's been, what—how long has it been, Isla? It's time to stop pretending you don't want to take this to the next level."

I feel my cheeks heat even more, and I dart a glance at Theo, hoping he's not picking up on how much this is making me squirm.

Theo, bless him, just smiles softly and shrugs.

"I'm patient," he says, his voice smooth, like he's already used to Aunt Jen's teasing.

"Ah, the silent type," Aunt Jen teases. "That's how you know he's the real deal, Isla."

I groan, hiding my face in my hands for a second, embarrassed beyond belief.

Mum, sensing things are getting a little too uncomfortable, clears her throat and nudges Aunt Jen under the table.

"Alright, Jen. Let's keep the teasing to a minimum, yeah?"

Aunt Jen raises both hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'm done."

The rest of dinner passes without incident, the conversation shifting to safer topics—work, the weather, Joshua's latest antics. I manage to make it through without further humiliation, though I can still feel the heat in my cheeks every time Theo's arm brushes mine.

Theo stands up stretching his arms above his head. "I'll be right back, I'm going to hit the bathroom," he says casually, looking at me with a soft smile before he heads out of the room.

I sit there, staring at the empty spot where he just was, then Aunt Jen speaks snapping me out of my thoughts pushing her chair back.

"Alright, I'll head out before I become a third wheel here," she says, winking at me. "But Isla? You really have a chat with that boy."

I open my mouth to protest, but Aunt Jen is already out the door, leaving me to process her words in stunned silence.

After a few minutes, I sigh deeply and make my way upstairs to my room, my mind racing. The stars outside my window are twinkling, distant and indifferent to the storm raging inside me. I sit on the ledge, legs dangling, staring up at the sky as if it might have the answers I'm desperately searching for.

After a few more minutes of quiet contemplation, I hear a soft knock at my door. The door creaks open, and I don't need to look up to know who it is. Theo's presence fills the doorway before his voice follows.

"Mind if I join you?" he asks, his tone low, careful.

I don't answer immediately, just gesture to the space beside me, and he steps in, sitting down next to me. The night air flows in, brushing against my skin as we settle into the comfortable silence.

Finally, he speaks, but his voice is darker now, lower, like he's trying to pull the words out of me. "So, what was it that you wanted to tell me three days ago?"

I swallow hard, the weight of his question hanging in the air like a heavy, suffocating fog. His eyes are locked on mine, but they're not soft anymore. No, they're intense—sharp, like he can see through every layer of me, peeling away every defense I've built up until I'm exposed.

I want to look away. I want to hide, but I can't. It feels like my entire world has narrowed down to this moment, and I'm stuck in the middle of it, torn between what I want and what I'm terrified to admit.

He shifts closer, his body just inches away from mine now, the heat of him radiating against my skin. The air feels thicker, heavier, and suddenly, I can't catch my breath.

"I'm patient, Luna," he says, his voice low and rough, like a warning. "But damn... you're killing me."

The tension snaps around us, crackling like static. His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and my heart skips a beat. He's so close now that I can feel the heat of his breath on my neck, his presence overwhelming in the best possible way.

My whole body tightens, a spark of something electric running through me, but I'm frozen in place, unable to speak.

I try to look away, but his eyes... they're pulling me in, deeper, and I can't resist. I'm trapped in this whirlwind of him, and it's terrifying. I want him—God, I want him—but I don't know how to say it.

His hand brushes my arm, barely there, just enough to send a shiver down my spine.

"Tell me, Isla," he murmurs, his voice low and dangerous. "Tell me what's been going on in that head of yours. I'm not going anywhere."

I close my eyes for a second, trying to steady myself, but it's no use. The truth is a living, breathing thing, clawing its way out of me.

"I don't know if I can do this," I confess, my voice barely a whisper, but the vulnerability in it cracks the last of my resolve. "But I also know that the way I feel about you, it's... it's everything, Theo. It's everything, and it terrifies me."

The words hang in the air between us, heavy and raw, and for a moment, neither of us moves. The silence stretches, thick and charged, and I can feel his eyes on me, searching, waiting.

My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it, and I can't bring myself to look at him, too afraid of what I'll see in his expression.

But then his hand brushes mine, his fingers warm and steady as they slide between my own.

"Isla," he says, his voice low, rough around the edges in a way that makes my stomach flip. "Look at me."

I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze, and the moment I do, I'm lost. His eyes are dark, intense, and there's something in them—something soft and unguarded—that makes my breath catch.

He doesn't say anything, not right away, just studies me like he's trying to memorize every detail, every flicker of emotion on my face.

"Baby," he says, his voice firm but gentle. "No more overthinking. No more hiding. Just ... tell me what you want."

I open my mouth, then close it again, my mind racing. What do I want? The answer is so simple, so obvious, that it almost hurts.

"You," I whisper, the word slipping out before I can stop it. "I want you."

"Fucking hell ... Luna, finally." He breathes as his lips crash into mine.

Theo kisses like he wants to consume me and I'd happy be consumed. The kiss takes my breath away. It's desperate, intense, no room for hesitation. His hands slide around my waist, pulling me closer, as if he can't get enough. Every inch of me is on fire, caught up in the heat of the moment.

But then, my phone vibrates on the table. The interruption is jarring, but I can't ignore it. Not when my heart is racing and my whole body is buzzing with anticipation.

I pull away reluctantly, reaching for the phone, but Theo's laughter rumbles through his chest, a wicked sound that makes my pulse quicken even more.

"Seriously?" he smirks, the heat in his gaze still burning.

I glance at the text. It's from my mom.

Mum : Leaving the house now. Got a call from someone in the office. I'll be back soon.

Mum : Good God, cannot believe I am saying this ... be safe xx

Theo's laugh rumbles deep in his chest, a low, dangerous sound that has my pulse quickening.

"Guess it's just us now," he murmurs, voice thick with something dark, something that makes every inch of me tense with anticipation.

Before I can even think to respond, his hands are on me, lifting me effortlessly into his arms. His strength and heat make everything else fade away, leaving only him, and the way my body responds to his touch. My breath hitches as I'm pressed against his chest, the hard thud of his heartbeat syncing with mine.

"What are you—" I start, but his lips are on mine, cutting off my words, claiming me with a kiss that's raw and hungry.

"Something you won't forget," he growls, voice dripping with promise.

In a single motion, he pushes me onto the bed, following me down with a weight that feels like everything. The hard press of him against me makes my body hum with need. As he grinds his cock into me, I can feel myself getting wet, my body betraying me, responding to him like it's never responded to anyone else.

A loud, desperate moan slips from my lips before I can stop it.

"Fuck, Theo," I gasp, the pleasure mixing with frustration at how badly I want more.

He stops, pulls back just enough to look down at me, eyes dark and intense.

"You need to stop me now, Luna," he warns, his voice rough, full of a dangerous edge. "Because once I start, there's no turning back. What I'm about to do to you? Even the devil would beg for mercy."

My breath catches in my throat. His words send a shiver of anticipation straight to my core. Every part of me is screaming to stop, but it's like my body is already his.

"I need you," I whisper, barely able to breathe through the desperation flooding me.

Theo's eyes flare, his control slipping. "Luna... you don't know how long I've been waiting for you to say that."