“I am simply offering sound medical advice.”
“Such professionalism. I’ll make sure to bring you a sample of my baked goods as a thank you.” He’s quick to mask hisgrimace, but I still see it. With a snort, I tell him, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they’re edible first.”
A glance at my phone tells me our time has long been up. When I look at Dr. Krazinski, confusion written all over my face, his perfect doctor mask is back in place.
“This wasn’t a normal session, Cooper. You experienced a major event today. I am prepared to stay as long as you need me.”
“Thank you. For being available. For staying over. For talking me down. Today could have ended much differently if you weren’t the kind of doctor that shows up for patients at every turn. That said, I think I ought to let you get home. Besides, I have a few people waiting on me.”
That thought sends warmth spreading through my veins. Being surrounded by people that care still feels foreign most days, but it’s everything I dreamed of for the past thirteen years.
Cooper
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay home today?” Teddy asks as I hand him his travel mug.
“I’m sure. Yesterday was hard, I won’t lie, but I’m doing just fine. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“That’s not what I meant, LB.”
“No… I know. I shouldn’t have said it like that. What I mean is that you and Max held me together through the hard part. Then Dr. K helped me decompress after. Am I still a little raw? Absolutely, but I’m managing. If it gets bad, I’ll call someone, but I’m…okay. At least, okay enough to be alone.”
Teddy nods before he steps closer to me and wraps an arm around my waist. I burrow into his chest and lock my arms around him. We stand there, just holding each other. No more words are needed.
I feel him kiss the top of my head before he takes a step back. “I’ll be home around eight tonight. I was thinking I’d pick up dinner on the way home unless you had other plans.”
“D’Maggio’s?” I ask while giving my best puppy dog eyes.
“We’ll see,” he says, rolling his eyes at my antics, but the small smile he tries to hide says I’ve already won.
I walk him to the front door, where he leans down and kisses me so gently my knees threaten to give out. When he starts to pull back, I grab his face, stopping him before he gets too far away. He raises an eyebrow but doesn’t try to move. Looking into his beautiful blue eyes, making sure he can see my sincerity, I tell him, “I love you, Theodore Everett Davenport, Jr.”
His eyes glisten, then he’s surging forward and kissing me, much more passionately this time. He gives his reply against my lips. “I love you too, Cooper Gray Sorenson. It’s only ever been you. It will only ever be you.” His lips trail across my cheek, heading towards my ear. “Also, not cool, making me cry before work,” he whispers before nipping at my earlobe.
Laughter bursts out of me as I shove his face away. “Get out of here. I got stuff to do.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
With a laugh, he holds up his hands in surrender. “Alright. I know when I’m not wanted. Just try not to burn the house down.” With one last peck on my cheek, he’s gone.
“Shit. Fuck. Oh, cheese and rice! Not the dish towel!”
Thankfully, I manage to get the pan into the sink before the flames spread.What in Satan’s tits?! Who the fuck manages to set a batch of cookies on fire? Me, that’s who.Looking at the wreckage of our kitchen, I slump against the counter. I just wanted to surprise Teddy with a small thank you. Instead, I dang near did the one thing hejokinglytold me not to do.
Dr. K had agreed that baking may be a good outlet for my need for control. Apparently, we’d both overestimated my abilities. Mom always made it look so easy that I never realized how detailed everything was. An idea pops into my head. Before my anxiety can take over and talk me out of it, I snatch my keys up and run towards the front door.
As I sit staring at Mom’s house, my brain finally catches up with my body. Coming here was so impulsive. I’ve never been here without Teddy before.What if she doesn’t want me around without him? What if she has company? Will she feel like baking right now? I didn’t even bring the ingredients. What an asshole move. Is she even home?
My spiral is interrupted by the beeping of my phone. Snatching it up, I see I have a text…from Mom.
Mom:Are you going to sit out there all day?
Just like that, my fears evaporate. I throw open the car door and nearly choke myself on the still-buckled seatbelt. When I get loose from the murderous strap and make my escape from the car, I look up and see Mom on the porch doubled over laughing.Rude.
“So you were just going to let me die like that?”
“Oh, honey,” Mom wheezes, wiping her face. “I wouldn’t have interfered for all the tea in China. I needed that laugh.”
