Page 33 of Years in the Making

“It is,” he replies, his hand pushing escaped pieces of hair behind my right ear.

“Don’t you have to work in the morning?”

“Nope.” He grins back at me. “I’ve got tomorrow and Sunday off. What time do you work?”

I shrug. I’m helping my dad with some pre-trip prep at the raptor center, but that’s it. “Probably eleven.”

“Hours and hours away,” he says quietly, pulling me back to him.

“Sleep is very overrated.”

An hour later, I manage to extract myself from his car and drive home, a stupid smile plastered on my face.

“Nellie?” I hear my name whispered from the living room when I walk into the house.

“Hey Mom,” I say, walking in to find her curled up in the big armchair with the lamp on and a book open on her lap. “You didn’t have to wait up for me.”

She tips her head and smiles at me. “I know, but I always will.” She stretches and closes her book, the page she was on folded over causing an involuntary shudder to run through me. “So when do we get to meet him?”

“Meet who?” I ask coyly.

Mom gives me that look she had mastered long before I came to be.

“Ooooh, Teddy. Well, maybe after your trip? He’s got a busy schedule.”

She walks over to me and puts her arm around my waist to pull me into her side. “Better yet, how about I stay home, andwe can invite this Teddy for dinner? Your father doesn’t need me.”

I look down at her and smile sweetly. “I think that would be a terrible idea.”

She laughs, squeezing me tighter. “Your sister was far easier to convince than you are.”

“Maybe I’ve just learned what not to do from Sylvia. Besides, Caleb worked for Dad. We all knew him long before they fell into each other. Actually, I’m not entirely sure Dad didn’t push her into him.” My mom is looking at me skeptically. “No, really, you weren’t there. I don’t see how she tripped. He pushed her.”

“‘Pushed’ seems awfully aggressive. Maybe he nudged her.”

“Oh my god, he did!” I gasp.

She shrugs. “Remember, I wasn’t there. I just can’t see your dad pushing anyone, let alone his firstborn.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree on this.”

“I’m okay with that. Now go to bed, young lady. There’s lots to do tomorrow before we leave.” She lets go of me and heads for the stairs. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about meeting Teddy. Within the next month, you’re going to invite the guy who keeps you out until the wee hours over for dinner.”

“Deal,” I say before she disappears from view.

In the kitchen, I pour myself a glass of water and pull my phone out to text Teddy, only to find one waiting for me.

Enviro Guy

I think Swedish Berries are forever ruined for me.

Oh no! Did you overdo it tonight?

Possibly…

Just thinking about them turns me on now.

I cough as water enters my windpipe and stare down at his words. I begin to answer, then stop only to repeat those steps.

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