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Ted couldn’t remember a time when he’d been excited like that. He was jaded these days, but not her. Mandy was like a chick just leaving the nest. He knew she’d still have the fear in there, and doubted it would take much to send her back to where she’d been, but she was trying.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you, Ted. That wasn’t my intention. In fact, I admire a great deal about you.”
One thing he’d always found with Mandy was, she was honest to a fault.
“I admire your courage and strength to do what you did, build the lodge. I admire what you do there, and that you are respected.”
“Stop,” he drawled. “My head will swell.”
“But do you know what I admire the most?”
He shook his head.
“That you believe in yourself. If you want to do something you do it. You’re not afraid.”
He moved closer, because he needed to.
“I feel scared sometimes, I just don’t show it.”
“I doubt that, but thank you for saying so.”
“There was that time Jack put me on a horse and I thought I’d die,” Ted said.
“Not quite what I meant.” She smiled. “But thanks for trying.”
“How many points did I get?”
“Four.”
It was a foolish conversation, but he didn’t want it to stop. He wanted this woman, but what he really wanted was for her to trust him, and yes, be his friend. Ted tried to think if he had any close female friends.
Piper and he were getting there; the same with Rory and Bailey. If he was honest, none of them were so close that he’d go to them with a problem. Mind you, now he thought about it, he probably wouldn’t do that with his guy friends. Ted didn’t really like to share his problems.
“And now I’m buying you lunch, because this is my celebration.”
“You’re not buying me lunch, Mandy.”
“I am.” She walked out the door with him and the dog on her heels.
Buzz shot off down the street in front of them as they crossed the road and headed to Phil’s. This, Ted thought, was what it would be like to have a partner.
They’d walk about the place together and do things like lunch. That wasn’t for him, but he guessed it suited some people. He had the urge to grab her hand and fold her fingers inside his, which was weird. He closed it into a fist instead.
He’d decided long ago that relationships weren’t for him… not close ones that had the power to hurt him, anyway.
“You’re not buying me lunch, Mandy.”
“I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
She stopped suddenly. Ted backed up a step and faced her. He knew the look she wore because he’d seen it a few times lately. Frustration.
“Are you one of those men that can’t let a woman pay for his food?”
“Yup.” Ted rocked back on his heels. “I don’t see that changing anytime soon either.”
“Fine. You can pay for yours if you want to be stubborn, but you’re not paying for mine, because I’m celebrating.” Her mouth firmed into a line.
