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TEDDY
Mia had been busy all week since our run in with Cruz, although it seemed more like she was possibly avoiding me. She wanted to spend the rest of the weekend with Cruz and her family while he was in town, which was understandable.
After class on Monday, though, she hurried off, saying she had a staff meeting to attend. Tuesday night, she claimed she had to get caught up with grading papers, although we texted a bit about my research paper.
By Wednesday, her dad had come down with a flu bug, so she was helping out at the motel after work. I admired her passion and dedication to everyone in her life. And, of course, I was as concerned as she was about her dad’s illness. But it made for one lonely week for me, with the questions getting more complicated about us after our night together and our run in with Cruz.
Finally, Thursday after class, she didn’t rush off and let me walk her—and her usual stack of books—to her car. I approached the subject of us head on. “So, when are you going to admit you’ve been avoiding me?”
“What? No, I’m not. I’ve been busy, is all.” She pinked, twirled a lock of hair between her fingers, and kept her eyes averted from me while she walked.
I smirked. “You forget I know your bluffing tells really well. Twirling your hair? Blushing? All those times playing card games with Cruz when we were young taught me well how you fidget when you’re covering something up. How did you think I let you win card games at times? I could tell when you had a good hand and were bluffing.”
“Let me win?” That got to her as she stopped in her tracks as she peeked at me through slits of her eyes.
I chuckled at seeing her feisty side. “Yep, just ask Cruz. So which is it? Avoiding me or just too damn busy for a man in your life?”
Her jaw flew open, but then she snapped it shut and started walking again. “I’ve been busy, so yes, it’s been easier to sort of avoid you and this situation. I mean, what’s going on between us, Teddy?”
“I think we’ve been flirting around the fact that there’s something between us. I’m just as shocked as you are that someone I used to feel was like a sister to me suddenly turned into a woman who I not only admire and respect, but who also happens to be the smartest, sexiest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
I heard her breath hitch. “Oh. Wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Telling me you find me to be the sexiest, most devilishly handsome man alive, and you want me more than anyone would be a nice start.” I winked at her.
“Big ego much?” She teased back.
We reached her car. “Look Mia, why don’t you just let it all go and let it happen? We got Cruz’s approval. That’s a major hurdle out of the way for me. Now I don’t have to worry if I touch you, he’s going to beat the shit out of me.”
She grabbed the book stack from my arms and put it on the back seat. I quickly pulled a bag out from under her car. I had stopped by earlier and stowed it there. When she turned back to me, her breath caught as I removed the plastic bag to reveal what was inside.
“What’s this?” She reached for the thing in my hands that resembled a cross between a briefcase and a suitcase on wheels.
“It’s a gift for you. If I could follow you around campus and carry your load of books for you every day, I would, but our schedules don’t exactly align. So I figure this rolling cart is the next best thing to having me around. Now you won’t trip and fall and drop all your books.”
She looked up at me with tears in her eyes. “You’re always protecting me, aren’t you?”
“It’s what I do best. I think I was born to protect you, Mia.”
The smile with happy tears rolling down her cheeks ruined me for life. If only I could capture her emotions in a bottle right now.
She placed the bag on her car seat, then threw her arms around me. I smoothed my hands down her back and if I could have grabbed her ass I would have, except we were out in public and it was still daylight. The fact she was hugging me in public sent head into the clouds. Our bodies molded into each other, fitting perfectly. “Thank you. It’s the most thoughtful thing any man has ever done for me. What am I going to do with you, Teddy?”
“You’re going to let it all go, Mia, and give us a chance.” I leaned down and brushed my lips just below her earlobe. “Besides, Cruz has already put us together, and your brother is never wrong.”
She laughed at this. As kids, Cruz loved reminding us how he was always right. But her joy was short-lived as a car drove slowly past us. She parted from me and peered into the window of the car. There was some recognition between Mia and the woman driving, whoever she was. I didn’t have time to inquire, though.
She talked fast and opened her car door to get in. “Um, you’re right. We should talk about things. Why don’t you meet me at my place later? I’ll finish up some papers I need to grade and we can hang for a while?”
The corner of my mouth lifted. “Yeah, I’d like that. Should I grab some takeout on the way? Tacos? Pizza?”
“Mm. Yes, you choose. See you then.”
I watched her pull away. The smile remained plastered to my face while I hiked back across campus to my car. A night with Mia lay ahead and I couldn’t wait.
* * *
I arrived a little after seven and extended a pizza box to her when she opened her door. “How about the best of both—a taco pizza?” My face froze, realizing what she was wearing.
