Page 97 of Single Teddy
I shrugged.
“Not just you. But yeah. I mainly wear them becauseIlike them.”
“Oh. Okay then.” The smile returned to his face. “I’ll allow that.”
“Don’t worry. There are only three that fit, and they’re all sleeveless, so you won’t be seeing these guns much longer. Not if winter promises to be brutal.”
Wesley smirked and put those fists on my chest, taking a deep breath.
“Then maybe I should teach you how to knit so you can make more of these cute-ass tops.”
“I’d love that,” I answered and put my hands around his waist.
He nodded and leaned in, and so did I.
I’d missed his lips. I’d missed them so much.
“Uncle Teddy! Uncle Teddy!” Bear’s voice broke out in the serene farm, and we pulled away from each other so fast it gave me whiplash.
“What is it, little Bear?” I said and dropped to my knees as he approached.
He stopped a few feet away from me, holding something in his hand. It was black and white and fast asleep, purring with wild abandon as if it wasn’t in an excited child’s arms.
“Look! Isn’t he cute?” he asked, showing me the kitten in his arms.
“Bear! Does Duke know you took the cat out? I thought you went to the dog kennels.”
“That was hours ago, Uncle.” He laughed, although I doubted it was truly hours ago.
“Don’t worry. He didn’t steal the cat. Blue wouldn’t let go of him, so they became inseparable,” Duke said, approaching with Azrael who was holding Bubblegum, the dragon, in his arms.
“Can we take him, Uncle? Please? Pretty please?”
“Oh, I…”
He was so ecstatic, and I didn’t want to say no, but…
“I don’t know if we can afford a pet at the moment, Bear.”
That was it. Honesty. I didn’t need to fabricate lies to ease the blow. Honesty was almost always the best policy according to Dr. Nash.
“Why?” He pouted. “Look how cute he is.”
Wesley dropped down to talk to Bear, and I turned to Duke.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“No. Don’t apologize to me. But if money is the issue, I don’t mind waiving the adoption fees.”
“It’s not just that. It’s food, litter, and vet bills,” I said. “I’m already working two jobs, and we can barely get by.”
“I can offer some months of free healthcare, food, and litter.” Duke beamed at me, and it was almost tempting, if only so I didn’t have to disappoint Bear and erase that genuine smile on his face.
“I couldn’t take charity. That’s…too much.”
Duke pressed his lips together and crossed his arms.
“Well, in that case… If you’re looking for an extra job, we could come to an agreement.”
