That’s what their father had always denied them, like he’d reveled in sucking the joy out of life.
“For you too,” Teddy said, not sure how else to respond. “It’s going to be a spectacular show. Even with Hartley as choreographer.”
“Of course it is. I’m prima ballerina.” Erina sniffed, straightened her posture, and with an impressive, bolstering smile, moved out of the kitchen to grab her bags and head for the door.
It wasn’t until after idle chitchat in the car, Teddy having parked to walk her inside the airport, that she turned to him with a touch of that somberness again and hugged him tight.
“See you soon?” she asked.
“No promises,” he teased but squeezed her tightly, too, and smiled when she laughed.
Erina’s visit hadn’t turned out quite as catastrophic as he’d feared.
Until he got back in the car and it wouldn’t start.
Why had he insisted on being a good brother and parking?
Teddy sat for ten minutes doing everything he could think of to get the engine to do more than sputter, all to no avail, andfinally had to give up and call a tow. He considered calling Finn but thought better of it when he remembered the sad look in Finn’s eyes as he explained that today was not a good day for their date. Whatever Finn had going on, Teddy didn’t want to disturb him.
Firestorm Garage was somehow just as charming as everywhere else in town, including a pair of mechanics and a nice older gentleman in the office who all seemed earnest and helpful rather than crooked like grease monkeys in the city.
One of the mechanics got right to work, while the other, sporting the name tag Ronnie, explained to Teddy what might be wrong.
“As long as it isn’t the transmission, it should be an easy fix,” Ronnie said.
Enjoying coffee and a donut in the waiting room, Teddy prepared for bad news. The donuts were in a box labeled Small Miracles Bakery, which should have been his first clue that the universe was still out to get him—long before Rose and the female physical therapist from the health center came in.
“This really is a small town.” He greeted Rose with a nod. He seriously expected Finn to walk in behind them, but not this time.
“The smallest,” Rose said. “You’ve met Meagan, right? She works with Finn.”
“Not by name. A pleasure.” Teddy shook her hand. She was the same youthful age as Rose and Finn, her hair long and ginger-colored. This was the first time he’d seen it down.
“You’re Finn’s neighbor, too, right?” Meagan said. “From the other night? I was at Finn’s bonfire.”
Yet another of the crew who’d seen Teddy carried bridal style by a stranger. Wonderful.
“I’m surprised Ronnie didn’t recognize you. Or did he?”
“Because Ronnie is….”
“My husband.”
Naturally. “He did not. Anyone else from that party I need to kill to rise above the embarrassment?”
The ladies laughed.
“Nothing to be embarrassed about,” Meagan said. “How lucky for you to have a trained medical professional next door.”
So nice of her to call that out since it made Teddy feel about ninety. “Very lucky.”
“I can’t believe you had dinner without me last night,” Rose jumped in. “We’ll have to fix that soon. Have you and Finn over so you can meet Blaise outside the apron.” The fact that she was already treating Teddy and Finn like a couple made Meagan’s eyes sparkle with interest—and Teddy’s gut tighten.
“Am I correct in remembering you don’t normally invite others over when it’s movie night?” Teddy deflected.
“Blaise works a late shift once a week, so that’s why Finn and I have brother-sister nights. We alternate cooking. Meaning, some weeks I bring takeout.” She giggled. “This would be different. You’re more than welcome to come. We can still watch a cheesy action movie if you want.Doomwas classic.”
Teddy smiled, remembering how he and Finn had bonded over that. “Well, I’d say we could do tomorrow night, but Finn and I were planning on just us.”
