Yours

Chapter 6: Close Proximity

"You kids want me to grab pizza for dinner?"Matthew asked, walking into the living room where Sylvia and Theo were relaxing on the couch, laughing at a video on his phone.

Theo glanced at Sylvia. "You good with pizza?"

"Sounds good to me."

"What toppings do you like?" Matthew asked.

"I'm good with anything except olives."

"Okay, I'll call it in."

Sylvia glanced back at Theo's phone, waiting for him to unpause the video. She waited a moment before realizing he was staring at her. "What?"

"If you could be anything in the world what would you be?"

"That's why you're staring at me? You're trying to figure out my future?"

"I hear girls are big into zodiacs and manifestation."

Sylvia laughed. "Is that what you would be if you could be anything? A psychic?"

"I don't know, maybe."

Sylvia sighed, resting her head on the back of the couch in thought. "I don't know, maybe a tattoo artist or a dancer, but the ones that have partners you know."

"You dance?"

Sylvia scoffed. "No, I wish I could. Now are you going to play the video?"

"So demanding."

"I hear guys dig it."

"Only in terms of the tango."

"Please tell me you did not refer to sex as a tango."

Theo shrugged. "What?"

"You sound like a boomer."

"I'm an old soul."

"Oh sure."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.

"I thought your dad went to pick up the pizza?" Sylvia asked.

"He did," Theo answered, glancing towards the direction of the door.

"Then who's at the door?"

Theo groaned. "Probably some reporter, she's been wanting my side of the story for weeks."

"Reporter?" Sylvia felt the panic stir inside her. If a reporter found her she was done for. "What story?" She quickly asked, sitting up, wishing she could run and hide.

"Hey," Theo said, trying to calm her down, gently placing his hands on hers. "I'm not giving her any story, I'm sick of reporters."

"I don't understand... I don't want to- I can't have reporters at my door."

"They won't. I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Sylvia nodded in relief, realizing his hand was on her waist, the sensation was sending a shiver down her spine. She suddenly could feel everything ten times more, how close he was, how his thumb was circling her skin, his forehead resting on hers, their lips inches away.

"Pizza's here!" Matthew yelled from the hallway, the two of them quickly pulling apart.

Matthew walked in with the pizza and set it on the coffee table. "How about putting on a movie?"

"Yeah, that'd be great," Theo said, licking his lips, rapidly tapping his thumb on his knee.

Sylvia smiled, clearing her throat, grabbing a slice of pizza. "I'm game."