“I told you, I hate children, and I am terrible with them.”
“Didn’t look that way earlier,” Finn said, reminding Teddy of the girl with the prosthetic. “Maybe you are a Gordon Ramsay. I’d love to see that side of you.”
“I’d love to see you dance,” Carlos said, though it was obvious he meant Erina more than Teddy, since he could barely look away from her.
“You know”—she set down her glass, though there was mischief in her eyes that worried Teddy—“even though Teddy never directed me, we were in a show together once. One of his last performances and one of my first major roles. We really pushed each other. I still think it was my best show.”
It was Teddy’s best, too, and the beginning of the end for him with his hip. He’d thought he could forestall the inevitable by teaching, but he danced almost more as a choreographer, and a few too many falls and strains and tears later, he’d paid the price.
“Giselle. Teddy was the leading man, and I was one of the Wilis—one of these three haunting spirits, all lovely young maidens who hate men because they died of broken hearts. It made it much easier to play a part where I constantly wanted to murder Teddy instead of woo him.”
Finn and Carlos snickered, and Finn looked at Teddy in much the same way Carlos kept looking at Erina. “I’d love to see that too.”
“You have a recording, don’t you, Teddy?”
Oh no. That was the last thing Teddy needed. “Erina—”
“He’s so meticulous with his things, I’m sure I can find the DVD.”
“Erina!” he tried calling when she got up from the table and disappeared into his bedroom. How she knew that’s where he kept his most precious collectables, he… really shouldn’t be surprised; she always knew him best.
Only after they were seated on the sofa, a little crowded with four of them, did Finn seem to notice Teddy’s agitation.
“Sorry. This is still hard on you, isn’t it?” he whispered as the recording began, Erina having dimmed the lights and made sure Carlos was near her in the corner of the sofa, while Teddy had the other corner with Finn close at his hip.
His hip that was to blame for many things, even Finn being here, if he was honest, and that wasn’t the worst thing.
“It’s fine,” Teddy said. It was a wonderful show, and the recording was of their best night.
Erina had teased him that he might as well have been a Disney Prince with his royal-looking blue velvet top and white tights. Teddy had been so flexible then, so effortlessly powerful. Whenhe leapt into the air, it seemed he’d never touch down again. It had felt that way too.
That stir of resentment was still there, longing, nostalgia, even anger, but while Finn seemed interested in the ballet, Teddy kept catching his eyes straying to him in the here and now, just as he was.
It was late when the recording finished. Finn had to peel Smudge from the floor to get at Nora. Smudge irritably flicked his tail and went to sit on an opposite corner of the rug, but Nora wriggled happily once Finn had her in his arms.
Erina and Carlos walked outside ahead of them to stand on the beach. It was a calm, cool night.
“In case you were still wondering about the other day, you’re forgiven,” Finn said. “Also, Rose and Blaise definitely know I’m your physical therapist now.”
“Another hit for HIPAA,” Teddy said with a snort. “Not a problem. And thank you. Can’t promise an outburst like that won’t happen again, but while I hold firm to the opinion that I am an asshole, I’m not the man in that recording anymore. And I’m not sure I’m ready to accept that,” Teddy added honestly.
“He was impressive.” Finn set Nora down, and she hurried along the sidewalk toward home, only to retrace her steps when Finn didn’t follow. “Graceful. Passionate. Limber.” He waggled an eyebrow.
Teddy laughed, much as the truth stung. “I’m not any of those things.”
“You are very much the first two. And don’t forget”—Finn tipped his head closer—“it’s my job to help you rediscover the third one.”
Teddy would have laughed again, but Finn was so close, his words were stolen, lost in the light breeze between them, and then stolen further when Finn kissed him.
The press was swift, chaste but firm, lips parting the tiniest bit before Finn pulled away, with Teddy hanging on a breath after him. Erina and Carlos hadn’t seen, but Teddy felt Nora nudge between their legs, impatient that Finn was ignoring her.
“I finally found your fault,” Teddy said when he couldn’t think of anything else.
“Yeah?” Finn grinned.
“Zero shame and bad pickup lines.”
The bark of Finn’s laughter helped distract from the bone-deep shiver Teddy released at their separation. “Does that mean it’s not working?”
