Page 123 of Teddy

Kipp gives me a small nudge, pointing over to the bagel table. “Now?” he whispers.

I snort, giving his hand a tug as I stand. Kipp looks extremely excited as we reach the breakfast buffet. He slathers cream cheese on a salt bagel, promptly falling into discussion with Marco about how heavy the booms are, if he can test holding one, and how Marco keeps up concentration if he gets a boner while filming is underway. Emil steps up on my other side, debating his choices before choosing a poppy seed bagel.

“Hey,” I greet. “How’s the new place treating you?”

Emil flushes, adjusting his glasses. “Good. Yeah, it’s great.”

“Something going on there?” I ask, curious why he looks either guilty or excited or both. “Meet a cute neighbor, maybe?”

“Um.” He blinks before huffing a short laugh. “Something like that.”

I don’t have time to prod further before I hear Chase, a guy who works here part-time, ask Kipp, “So you guys open? I’d love to take you out.”

“Oh,” Kipp says, a gentle smile on his face. “No, totally committed to this guy. Thanks, though. I appreciate it. You’re super hot. I’m just a love-one-man kinda dude.”

Chase nods, accepting that easily, but I see Alex freeze out of the corner of my eye. My lips twitch as he comes over.

“Kipp,” Alex says calmly. Much too calmly. “Did I just hear you say you love Teddy?”

Alex’s eyes swing between the two of us as Kipp smiles.

“Well, yeah,” Kipp says. “I wouldn’t have asked him to marry me a second time if I didn’t.”

Unable to help myself, I tug Kipp to my side and kiss his temple.

Alex gawks before throwing his hands in the air. “Why does no one tell me anything anymore?”

“It just happened,” I assure Alex, chuckling at his put-out expression.

“Wait,” Alex says, tone shifting into excitement. “Does this mean we’re having another wedding?”

“At some point, yeah,” I say, checking in with Kipp.

“Definitely yes,” he says, nodding.

“Dibs on flower girl,” Alex shouts. “Motherfucking dibs.” He points a finger around at the others gathered nearby, as if anyone would dare fight him for it.

“All yours,” I tell him, snorting.

“Well, shit, you know what this means?” Alex says.

I’m almost afraid to ask, but Kipp beats me to it. “What?”

“Engagement party!” Alex declares.

Oh boy.

“Everyone,” Alex yells. “Listen the fuck up. Engagement party this Friday for Teddy and Kipperoo. Mark your calendars. I’ll bring the dicks.”

Kipp perks up at that. “Oh, could you get me another dildo crown? I lost my last one.”

“You bet, sweets,” Alex says, a mischievous glint in his eye I don’t much care for. “I’ll get you the most glorious crown of penises you’ve ever seen. And Teddy Bear.” Those eyes swing my way. “I’ll bring something extra special just for you.”

I have a feeling I’m going to pay for not giving Alex the news about Kipp and me the moment we shared our I love yous.

Ah well. So long as Kipp keeps smiling at me the way he is now, the price will be well worth it.

When I step into the coffee shop where I told Cameron and Antoni to meet me, they’re already waiting. They have matching looks of unease on their faces, and I could head right over, be nice, and set their worries to rest. But I walk up to the counter first, ordering myself a drink.

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