Page 89 of Single Teddy
I tried to nod, but I was frozen in place.
“Earth to Wes?” She waved a hand in front of my face.
“I’m fine. I’m fine,” I repeated over and over.
“You don’t sound fine.”
“I just…didn’t know Zach was hot.”
“Ah,” Ruby hummed. “Now I get it. You’re jealous. Do you think he’s slipping his anaconda inside him too?”
I turned to my sister and stared daggers at her.
“You’re not helping.”
She put her hands up and apologized.
“Come on. Let’s scope them out.” Before I could agree to anything, she marched right to the Wandering Bundt and joined the line.
Teddy spotted me as soon as I stood next to her, and he waved at me with a huge smile on his face.
“Look at that. He looks so happy to see you. Would he be this happy if he were playing the field?”
He did look happy, didn’t he? And he did tell me his neighbor had given him a job.
“You must be Teddy!” Ruby gave Teddy her hand as soon as it was our turn to order, and Teddy shook it. “I’m Ruby. Wesley’s youngest sister.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Oh, it’s ahugepleasure for me too.” She smirked.
I elbowed her.
“I think I’ve seen you at Bubble Bubble before, right?”
“That’s right. I own the gift shop a few doors down. That’s sobigof you to remember me.”
“Ruby!” I whispered.
“What?” Ruby asked. “I’m just having a juicy conversation with your Teddy. Erm, your friend Teddy.”
I groaned and gave in to my fate.
“What can I get for you?” Teddy asked. If he’d caught on to Ruby’s terrible wordplay, he didn’t let on. His smile never wavered.
“Two pumpkin spiced lattes and what’s good to eat?”
I elbowed her again, even though I was pretty sure that wasn’t intended as a double entendre.
“Everything really. If you’re going for pumpkin spice lattes, you want to try the apple custard muffins. They’re divine,” he said, and I caught Zach beaming, staring at Teddy, making me want to punch his perfect little face.
“Sold,” Ruby said, and Teddy turned to Zach.
I saw little Bear sitting on the counter behind them, but I was so focused on his uncle and his new boss, I couldn’t find the words to address him or to even say hi.
“You’re a natural,” Zach told Teddy and patted his arm.
A growl almost escaped me. I had no idea how I managed to tame it before it unleashed from within me.
