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Two hours—that’s how long I had to endure the torture of watching Teddy move on. Watching her bat her eyelashes and lick her lips, knowing that none of it was for my benefit, nearly gutted me. It didn’t make any sense. Why did I care so much?
She wanted things I couldn’t give her, which meant I should have been happy she was out there in search of a man who would, instead of trying to change me like every other woman had. Teddy accepted me for who I was, even indulged her curiosity about me without asking for more when she was still in search of that elusive more. She had accepted my terms and instead of accepting hers, here I was, trying to change them. Trying to change her.
Hannah was right. I was an asshole.
“Hurry, big brother, or you’ll miss the goodnight kiss.” Hannah’s whispered words were filled with amusement and I growled at her, noticing for the first time that Teddy and Rusty had left the table. “That’s right. While you were brooding, they left.”
I shot to my feet and glared at Hannah. “You could’ve said something.”
“I did. And Rusty said goodbye, but clearly you were too lost in thought to hear any of it.” Then she outright laughed and shook her head. “Come on, this should be good.”
We made it outside just in time to see Teddy with her long, bare arms wrapped around Rusty, a wide smile on her face. She pulled back and looked at him, then whispered something in his ear, something I couldn’t hear. I was desperate to know what it was. Teddy laughed and pressed a kiss to Rusty’s cheek, affection blazing in her eyes for a man she’d just met.
“Unbelievable,” I grunted to myself.
“I know! The chemistry between them is incredible,” Hannah said on a sigh, her tone wistful.
“Not helping, Hannah.”
Teddy and Rusty parted ways and my legs were on the move, closing in on her until I was at her side.
“What did you say to him?”
“That,” she looked at me with disgust in her eyes, “is none of your damn business.”
Hannah snickered behind us and I shot her a glare. “Were you giving him your address?”
“What if I was, Cal? How is that any of your business?”
She was right, it wasn’t any of my business. “I want to know.”
“Yeah, and I want you to go away, but here we are.” Teddy shook her head and sighed. “What’s next, are you going to follow me home to make sure Rusty isn’t there waiting for me? You gonna peek in my windows to make sure we’re not enjoying a nightcap or more?”
“You’d sleep with him on the first date?”
She shrugged. “I slept with you without one date, so why not?”
“Because you wanted to,” I growled at her and stepped in close. “Don’t sleep with him to make me jealous.”
Teddy let out a loud, obnoxious bark of laughter. “I’m not trying to make you jealous, Cal. You’re not capable of that emotion because you don’t want anyone badly enough to actually be jealous. I know that, and so do you.”
She thought she knew me so well, but she didn’t.
“I want you.”
Her expression softened. “Only because I’m not pressuring you for more than you’re willing to give. It’ll pass, just give it time.” Teddy shook her head and looked over my shoulder at Hannah. “Want a ride home?”
“Sure.” Hannah stepped up and she and Teddy chatted happily as they walked to Teddy’s truck, all smiles.
And I was left brooding in the middle of the parking lot.
Teddy
After Cal’s behavior the other night, I decided to put Travis in charge of finishing the renovations. I just couldn’t deal with him on a professional basis, not after his high-handed jealous-boyfriend routine. But the project was finally finished, and I had professional responsibilities.
“I wondered if you’d show up today.”
I shrugged at Travis’ unspoken question. “The job is done, and I want to get some photos.” Photos were always nice for potential clients to see what was possible and to make sure a client didn’t try to pull a fast one because his contractor was a woman. “You guys did a great job.”
Travis rolled his eyes. “You did most of the work and you know it, which begs the question: why you put me in charge this week?”
I shrugged as my gaze swept every little detail, ticking each one off when I found no errors. “I had to get a jump on some bids and check on the other sites. That, and you’re perfectly capable of handling a site on your own.”
That hadn’t always been true, but Travis had matured and seemed to enjoy this job since it paid well and allowed him to delay growing up until he was ready.
Surprise flashed in my brother’s eyes. “Does this mean I’ll get to be in charge more often?”
