Page 84 of From London, With Love

Does 7:00pm work?

Carter

Well I’ll be fucking damned.

“I owe you a beer, brother. We’re on.”

After Teddy reads Lara’s response, he claps me on the back, a smile breaking through his unusually overgrown facial hair. “Ican’t believe you worded it like that. Why the fuck is it so formal? It’s like you forgot how to write a text message.”

“Respectfully, shut the fuck up.”

“You owe me more than a beer, bud. I’ll accept your thanks in the form of Winnie duties next weekend.”

“Ooh, has Daddy secured a hot date or something?”

My brother groans. “Stop. You know it’s so fucking weird when you call me that. Also, mind your business.”

“I hope you realise how hypocritical you’re being; you’ve genuinely taken over my business these past ten minutes.”

Teddy roughs a hand through my hair, the way he did when we were younger, removing it before I can smack him away. “I’m the big brother, I’m allowed to. Now hurry up and respond before she changes her mind.”

I want to tell him he’s being a little dramatic, but thisisLara we’re talking about. I’m pleasantly surprised she’s even agreed in the first place; there’s every chance she’ll revoke her agreement. I tap out an immediate, bold response.

Me

It’s a date

The three little dots appear quickly, and I can’t tear my eyes away from the screen, instead watching intently for her response.

Lara

I assure you it most certainly is not.

A cheesy as fuck grin pulls at my lips as I stare at Lara’s message. Oh, it’ssoon.

Teddy knocks a knee against mine. “Right, little brother,what’s your plan?”?

“My plan?”?

“Oh you, you’ve got to be prepared, Carter. Youcannotgo into this without a plan. How else do you expect to convince Lara this is a good idea?”

“Are you trying to say my incredibly good looks and irresistible charm aren’t enough?”

“Don’t forget your modesty.” The whites of my brother’s eyes are on full display as he rolls them. “You’re spending too much time around Dex, his arrogance is rubbing off on you.”

“Come on, don’t pretend you don’t love that arsehole.”

“Oh I do, sometimes more than I love you, little brother.”

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes. “Could we get back on track with this plan of yours, please?”

“No, no, not my plan—yours. I’m merely here to provide brotherly guidance.”

“Such as?”

“Just making sure you don’t make a complete arse of yourself, really.”?

I glare at my brother, but we both know there’s no malice behind it. I wouldn’t say I have a track record of making an arse of myself, but without Teddy’s advice over the years, I very well could have.

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