Perched on top of it was a solid little white-and-blue tea set.
“Come in, make yourself comfortable. I’m afraid we’ll have to share the sofa. My wife calls this the junkroom. Especially when I’m in it.”
The urge to ask him why the hell he was married to her rose up in my throat for what felt like the hundredth time, but I swallowed it down. The mysteries of heterosexual marriages were probably better left unsolved.
“Have you settled on honey and milk?” Teddy asked as I edged my way past a big, ancient-looking crate. “Or would you like some adventure with your tea?”
“What did you have in mind?” I asked.
“I have pilfered a small quantity of brown sugar and pouring cream from the kitchen,” Teddy said, grinning like a naughty toddler.
Kit had that same smile. Ilovedit when he got that look. It always meant fun.
I loved it when he was happy.
“I thought I might share my bounty with you, the only other sane person in the household.”
“What about Kit?” I asked, sitting down.
“Anxious to the point where he fainted at his own college graduation ceremony and has systematically refused every possible opportunity to stand out he’s ever been offered? Not entirely sane, by the usual definition. I do appreciate you coming to his defense, though.”
“He’s getting a lot better,” I said. “Although this is the first I’ve heard about the fainting and I dunno about opportunities. But he orders his own coffee now.”
“Yes, you’ve been good for him. Quite transformed from the shy, quiet boy I sent to New York. Was that a yes, on the sugar and cream?”
“You only live once.” I shrugged.
“Probably for longer if you refuse it, though,” Teddy said wryly as he poured tea for me.
“Is this the Wedgwood?” I asked as he handed me the cup and slid a Penguin over toward me.
“Oh, yes! You see? Perfectly serviceable, solid British craftsmanship. But one of the cups is chipped,” he added, showing me the rim of the one he’d taken for himself. “I have promised never to give it to a guest, but I’m afraid I have to use this set in secret. Some of my fondest memories are of my grandfather taking me aside like this and letting me have too-sweet tea with a nip of scotch in it. Speaking of, would you like one?” he asked, producing a small silver flask.
It was probably actual silver, and beautifully engraved, but tarnished with age. His grandfather’s, I guessed.
“Uh, no. Thank you.”
“I suppose Kit would find you out,” Teddy said. “Can’t keep his mouth off you.”
The tips of my ears burned, and I wondered if it was dark enough in here to hide it.
“I don’t think he’d be mad, I’m just...”
“Not in the habit of drinking before noon, I dare say.” Teddy smiled wryly.
“Something like that. Not that I’m judging, I think, umm...”
“Don’tyougo shy on me, I’m enjoying having someone who speaks their mind around here.”
I took a deep breath. “I’d probably drink to get through this if I didn’t have Kit to go to, too. He’s... soothing, because he’s so quiet. So, no judging.”
Teddy smiled. “You’re really very taken with my son, aren’t you?”
I nodded, another rush of blood going to my face.
That wasn’t a lie. I liked Kit so much I sometimes felt like I was about to burst.
I liked him a whole lot more now that I knew how good the sex was. He’d been so shy after, so affectionate and sweet and unlike anyone else I’d ever been with.
