“Good morning Mel.”

I perked up at the sound of Theo’s voice. “Th-Theo. Good morning,” I smiled. 

“I'm sorry I didn’t stay. Rayyan called about a website update I needed to complete ASAP.”

“No worries,” I replied. “I know it's not a big deal, I just didn’t want you to think I was a jerk.” I couldn’t help but smile. At first glance, Theo doesn’t seem like the type to care about these things. Had it been the first day we met, I would have absolutely assumed I was just a one night stand. “You did eat most of my brownies and take up 90 percent of my bed,” I joked. 

“Its not my fault you have such a tiny bed. Is everything in your apartment tiny?” I could practically hear the smile in his voice. “It's a full-sized bed Theo. Plenty of room for me. And actually, no. Everything isn’t tiny. I have this huge tub in my bathroom that could probably fit us both.” I didn’t realize the implications of my words until I had already said it. My face heated with embarrassment and I was very glad that Theo couldn’t see me right now.

His voice deepened, “While I am very tempted to test that out, I know for a fact that both my tub and bed could fit us perfectly.” 

“Goodbye Theo. I need to get ready for work,” I replied, playfully ignoring his invitation. “At least think about it?” Laughing, I hung up on him and made my way to my bathroom to get ready for the day. 

Walking into the office was awkward. I had never slept with a coworker before and I didn't know how to be casual about it. It actually turned out to be a pretty normal day though. Theo was very nonchalant all day. This made me surprisingly annoyed the more the day progressed.

With an 30 minutes left to my day, I heard a knock at the door. Theo let himself in before I could say anything and closed the door. “So, have you thought about my offer?” Confused, I cocked my head to the side trying to think of what he was talking about. We had already agreed in our meeting about which marketing campaign we would implement for the summer program. 

He laughed, noticing my confusion, “My spacious, two bedroom apartment, or your cozy studio with the extra small bed?” 

“Wait what?” I laughed. “I’m not sleeping over at your place. I don’t have any of my stuff there and I am not showering with 17 in 1 body wash.” 

Theo grabbed his chest, “I am actually hurt you would assume I’m one of those guys. I am a 34 year old man, Melodi.” I tossed my stress ball at him and he caught it with his right hand, his left hand still over his chest. “Mhm. Right. Something tells me Rayyan picked out your bath products.”

“Ha! That’s where you’re wrong. His partner, Malaki, did. He’s an esthetician,” he winked. I packed my stuff up for the day, ignoring all his reasons for why his apartment was ‘superior’ to my 'humble abode'. 

By the time the train made it to my stop, he had run out of ideas for convincing me to sleep over. He dramatically sighed as we entered my apartment. “Well Melodi, I’ll wait on the couch while you pack a bag,” he grinned as I headed to my bathroom to change.

“Um, what?” Resting his head on the back of the couch he continued, “You said you couldn’t sleep over because you wouldn’t have your stuff. We're here now, so grab your stuff and let’s go.” Honestly, he had me beat. 

I replied, “Touche Mr. Patel,” and grabbed the overnight bag I usually took to Chels’. Inside, I already had my toiletries bag with miniature versions of my daily products and tossed in some other overnight essentials. “Can I at least shower before we go?” 

“Nope. You lost fair and square. Plus I wanna see your tiny little body in my gigantic tub,” he stated, folding his hands over his chest. I tossed a pair of socks at him. Raising an eyebrow he came over and tickled me until I tapped out between laughing fits. Nosily, he peered into my open drawer. “Can I pick your pajamas this time?”

Shrugging, I walked to the bathroom to grab my electric toothbrush. I came back to a sly looking Theo. Squinting at him I approached slowly, “What’s with that look Theo?” He backed away from me with one hand behind his back and the other holding my bag. 

“Oh nothing, just wondering if I should pack this,” he extended his hand revealing my vibrator. Embarrassment washed over me as I quickly snatched it from his hand and placed it back in my drawer. “Such a snoop!” Grabbing my bag I stuffed my toothbrush inside and headed for the front door.

 Theo lived surprisingly close to me. After ten minutes of walking we were in front of a towering building. I knew his family’s restaurant was nice, but I didn’t know he was well off. “Good evening Mr. Patel,” the doorman bowed as we entered. I looked back at Theo shocked. The lobby was beautiful. Chels tried to get me to move here after graduation and I dismissed the idea. If I remember correctly, there should be a rooftop pool and lounge area. 

I followed Theo through the elevator as it landed on his floor. He reached behind for my hand and smiled back at me when I placed my hand in his. Even the hallway looked fancy as we walked past huge doors with keypads. 

He scanned his thumb and the door unlocked. Jeez. Maybe I should have toured this apartment like Chels suggested. 

We entered and I was shocked. His apartment could easily fit two of my studio apartments in the living room and kitchen. Theo gave me a quick tour and that ended in his room. He was right. His bed was definitely big enough for the both of us, and maybe three more Theos. “So,” he whispered in my ear, making me jump. “What should we do first?”

“I’d really like to take a shower and eat something. I worked through lunch,” I pouted. “Any special requests?” he asked, grabbing his phone out of his pocket. “You still owe me Chinese food,” I answered as I headed to the bathroom with my bag. 

Theo trailed after while pressing his phone to his ear. A devious smirk was plastered on his face. “I’ll have general tso chicken and pork fried rice,” I whispered as I closed the bathroom door on him. 

I heard him laughing on the other side of the door before he began to order. Swirling around, I took in the massive bathroom. A glass encased shower stood to the left that was big enough to fit at least four people. Peering into the glass, I counted two shower heads on either side, and a large rainfall shower head on the ceiling. The control panel looked like a fancy iPad stuck to the wall and I would definitely need Theo’s help turning it on.

The tub put mine to shame. I don’t even know if I should call it a tub or a jacuzzi! The circular tub sat in a nook under a large window, directly across from the shower. If we weren’t so high up, I have no doubt in my mind that everyone would see me taking a shower or laying in the hottub. 

Placing my bag on the counter, I began to strip. I heard a soft knock at the door and grabbed the oversized robe next to me. Theo opened the unlocked door right as I pulled the robe shut against my body. His laugh echoed in the enormous bathroom as he took me in. 

“Mel, you look so cute in my robe,” he squeezed my cheeks pulling me in for a kiss. I leaned back on the vanity and as he pulled away from the kiss. He dropped his hands to both sides of my body and asked only inches away from my face, “Need any help?”

“Actually, yes. I need you to turn on the spaceship, AKA your shower,” I pointed as I scrunched up my face. Grabbing my hand he led me over to the shower, a playful smile dancing at the corner of his lips. He removed the tablet from the wall and handed it to me. 

He moved behind me and started explaining the different features while removing his own clothing. “Th-Theo. What are you d-doing,” I stuttered. He couldn’t be trying to join me could he? Last night was one thing, the lights were off and we were in the heat of the moment. I can’t just strip down in front of him and take a shower with all the lights on! 

I pulled the robe tighter against my body and he leaned against the glass door of the shower, completely naked. If I wasn’t black, I’m sure my face would have been as red as a tomato. “Mel, we had sex last night. Are you now nervous, not even a full 24 hours, to get naked in front of me?” I couldn’t decipher the look on his face, but the smile no longer danced at the corner of his lips. Was it a disappointment? My stomach churned as I looked away.