I giggle as he carries me into the bathroom.
Teddy leaves me at the entrance of the Leicester Square tube station with a kiss. He is already running late for a group project because of our romp in the shower.
I was instructed to check into our London office for an informational meeting before I leave according to the email from the foreign office. I’m shaking when I enter the office, not sure if it’s from nerves or excitement, probably both.
I’ll be assisting the senior foreign correspondent with interviews and scouting filming locations. If it goes well, I’ll be assigned as a junior correspondent, traveling the world, reporting on the latest news.
They give me my travel paperwork with a suggested list of clothing for Syria.
I’m so excited when I walk out of the office, I can’t wait to tell Teddy about it. The thought makes my stomach seize. This is exactly what I was afraid of happening. I’ve breezed through Teddy’s life, promising things I can’t deliver and now I’m sweeping right back out again. This is the very reason I stayed away so long. The thought of breaking his heart tonight as I board the plane makes me sink to the step.
“Excuse me, I’m looking for the newest, most gorgeous foreign correspondent on this planet.”
I look up into the most beautiful blue eyes. Teddy takes my hand, pulling me up into his arms.
“I thought you had some classes today or something?” I look up at him through shimmering eyes that threaten to spill at any moment.
“No, I had a group project meeting today. As in one, singular. I texted you, but when you didn’t respond, I assumed you were still in your meeting. Thought I’d pick you up for lunch.”
I reach in my purse, pulling out my phone.
“Apparently, your text wasn’t the only one I missed,” I say with a wince. I had set my phone on silent while I was inside. “There’s several from Izzy asking if I’m okay. There’s even two from Grayson.”
Teddy looks up, slapping his forehead.
“Oh fuck, that’s my fault. I called them when I was trying to find you. Those two really don’t like being woken up in the middle of the night. I was supposed to call Grayson back.”
“Teddy! Please tell me you didn’t freak them out.”
He looks over my head behind me, avoiding meeting my eyes.
“Umm, you might want to give Izzy a call. You know, just to tell her about your new assignment.”
How can somebody so frustrating be so adorable at the same time? We walk toward one of the local pubs for lunch while I dial my sister. The second she picks up, I get an earful.
“Sophia! What is going on there? Are you okay? I’ve been trying to get in touch with you for hours. Do you know how worried Grayson is? Honestly, Soph!”
“It’s good hearing your voice too, Iz. I’m good. I got a promotion to foreign correspondent.”
Izzy doesn’t say anything for several beats.
“Are you with Teddy?”
That’s fine, just skip right over the biggest thing to ever happen to me.
“Yeah, he’s right here. We were just heading for lunch.”
“No, Sophia. I mean, are you with Teddy? As in, are you sleeping with him?”
My eyes widen as I look over at Teddy. Well, maybe the news thing is the second biggest thing.
“What?” he mouths at me, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk.
“Why would you think that, Iz?” I ask, giving him my best stink eye.
“Do you really think I’m that easy to fool?” Izzy snaps at me.
Teddy leans down near my phone to start making static noises.
