“Very nice to meet you ma’am. I’m Melodi. I work with your son at Fairways University. Your food is absolutely lovely,” I shook Theo’s mom's hand and prayed my palms weren’t too moist. She smiled back, pleased with the compliment.

“Thank you. You have a lovely smile Melodi,” she stated. I blushed, unable to stop from smiling even wider. “Thank you very much. Is there a dessert you would recommend?” I asked, trying to steer the conversation away from me. I’ve always been awkward when complimented. I would much rather have compliments for my baking abilities. 

Her smile was so calming. “Hm. Maybe a favorite of Taish’s? He loved, and still loves, my husband’s durian cake as a kid,” she winked at Theo and I glanced over to see him smiling. Moments like these make me miss my parents the most. “I would love some,” I replied. 

My mom was a horrible cook and baker, but she still tried. My dad was the chef, if you could call following boxed meal directions cooking. But we always ate dinner together.  

“Ummi, Mel is a great baker. She might give dad a run for his money,” Theo grinned. “Well, maybe you should bring Melodi by for one of our Sunday dinners,” Kasih beamed as Theo’s lips turned into a tight line. “Ummi,” he replied sternly.

Waving, she ignored her son, “Melodi our door is always open. Don’t let his sour attitude deter you from spending time with us.” Turning to her son she added, “And you Taish. Why do you never want us to meet your aweks? Tsk.”

Theo sighed as she left and gave me an apologetic smile as his mom went back towards the kitchen. “Theo, what does awek mean? Rayyan referred to me as your awek. I know ummi means mom.” Breathing out loudly, Theo rubbed his neck, “Well, awek means pretty girl or girlfriend. But don’t worry. I’ll talk to them. They assume I’m in a relationship with any female.” We both blushed awkwardly as the waiter came with our dinner. 

The food was amazing. We ate and talked about our childhoods and siblings. Theo and Rayyan are actually twins, fraternal. Rayyan hopes to take over the restaurant when their parents retire and Theo manages their website and advertisements. 

I told him all about Chels and her rich ex-boss turned husband, Remy. “You two sound like polar opposites. How did that happen?” Theo smirked. “Well, I’m four years older than Chels so I always helped our parents with her. I was the responsible big sister, so she was naturally the wild younger sister. After our parents passed away while I was in college, I became her guardian and spoiled her way too much,” I stared at my now empty glass.

“I’m sorry, Mel,” Theo looked so sympathetic. It took me by surprise honestly. Most people either knew me when the accident happened or don’t know about it at all. 

“It’s okay, Theo. It was a really long time ago,” I shrugged as the waiter placed the durian cake in front of us. “This looks amazing, oh my god!” After devouring the cake together, we went back to my apartment in an Uber. 

Theo walked me to my door, teasing me the entire way for eating most of the cake. “Well to be fair, it was so good. I’ve never had durian before. You eat this cake all the time. Wait. How do you stay in shape when your family makes such amazing dishes everyday?”

“Its called self control Mel,” he snorted and followed me inside. “Well I’m grateful I wasn’t born into your family, I’d be 400 pounds by now,” I replied, slipping into my house slippers. “Did you want to watch a movie or something? Its only 8 o’clock. I mean, unless you wanted to head home?” 

Theo shrugged and plopped down on the couch, “Any movie you had in mind?” 

“Nah, choose whatever. I’m gonna wash my face and change,” I grabbed the first pajama set out of my drawer and tossed him an oversized t-shirt I won at a basketball game. 

Standing in front of my bathroom mirror, I stared at myself in horror. Of course the pajamas I grabbed had to be one of my sets with a cropped cami and short shorts. I debated putting my bra back on, but I wanted to be comfortable. And he kissed me in my office. So I grabbed my robe and made my way to the couch. 

As I approached Theo, the thirst was real. The large shirt that was oversized on me, fit him like a muscle shirt. I could even make out the sharp lines of his back muscles as he stretched his arm across the back of the couch. Like the idiot that I am, I decided to untie my silk robe before sauntering over. 

“Find something good,” I asked as casually as I could. Theo just gaped at me. I watched as his eyes traveled up my body, lingering at my exposed stomach. Suddenly I felt very self conscious. I plopped down on the couch next to him, leaving space of course, but his eyes never left me. The silence started to become uncomfortable, so I reached for the remote in his hand. My sudden movement must have snapped him out of whatever trance he was in. He moved the remote just before I could grab it. 

Theo sucked at picking movies. Fifteen minutes in and my eyes were drooping. I tried fighting my sleep and paying attention, but the movie was so boring I ended up losing the fight. 

The next morning I woke up to my alarm and I was tucked into bed. Dazed and confused, I grabbed my phone and opened a message from Theo as I shuffled to the bathroom. I nearly dropped my phone. On the screen was a picture of a smug Theo smiling into a sleeping Melodi’s hair on the couch. Under the text read:

Next time you pick the movie? Haha