Page 49 of Lost and Lassoed

Maybe it was the way she talked about my kid like she was the sun. Maybe it was the way she looked in her stupid little sweat shorts and tank top. Maybe it was the way her breath felt on the back of my neck when we’d gone up to watch Riley sleeping.

Maybe it’s the way I realized that Teddy loved my family the same way I did. Maybe it was the fact that Teddy was so much more than I’d ever given her credit for, and I felt stupid for only just now realizing it.

So I set my coffee down and walked over to her. “Can I help you?” she said, confused.

Teddy’s always been a straight shooter, so I decided to give it to her straight. “I wanted to kiss you last night,” I said.

She looked at the floor. “I know,” she said. “I was there.”

“And I think you wanted to kiss me, too, Theodora.” God, I felt like I was sixteen. Teddy said nothing. I put my thumb under her chin and forced her blue eyes to mine.

“Let me?” I said softly. “Just once.”

Her eyes flicked to my lips, just like they had seven years ago, just like they had last night. I didn’t even think she realized she’d put her hands on my waist.

“Okay,” she said.

Wait, did she just sayokay? She was giving me permission to break the stupid rule she made up last night? Because of the unspoken rule we had broken years before? “Really?” I asked.

“Just don’t—” Teddy sighed. “Just don’t walk away again, okay?” My eyes stayed on her. Had I hurt her when I told her to forget about it? I could see it now, the way I fled the scene and left her outside, alone in the cold. Was that the reason that our mutual dislike had turned so bitter?

She rolled her eyes—there she is. “You better hurry up and do it before I change my mind.”

Teddy didn’t have to tell me twice. I brought my lips to hers—softly, tentatively. I just wanted to know what it felt like. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough—more than enough. It was easy. I pulled back, not wanting to press my luck, just in case she decided to slap me instead.

But the kiss—god, the kiss. It was soft and short, but it was all I needed to confirm that I hadn’t made up how good our first one had felt.

For the past seven years, I had convinced myself that our first kiss wasn’t as good as I remembered—that it couldn’t have been that good.

But it was.

And our second one was better. Because I knew Teddy now, and not just the Teddy that everyone else knew. I knew the Teddy that was just as fierce when she was soft and just as fun when she was comfortable. She was loyal and kind and funny. She was so much more than I ever knew. She surprised me—wanting to kiss her again surprised me.

And the thing that surprised me the most? I didn’t regret it one fucking bit.

I turned and walked back to the kitchen counter. I’d poured her a cup of coffee a few minutes ago. I slid it across the counter toward her.

She walked slowly toward the counter—like she was approaching a wild animal. When she picked up the coffee, she said, “I use this cup every morning.”

“I know,” I said. I didn’t know why she liked that one. I’d taken it from the Big House when I moved in here. I didn’t know how old it was, and it was chipped.

She took a sip of her coffee, which had that disgustingly sweet brown sugar creamer that she liked.

“So,” she said.

“So,” I responded.

She worried her bottom lip with her teeth, and I wanted to kiss her again. I didn’t know what was happening to me.

“You just kissed me,” she said finally.

That pulled a smile out of me. “Yeah,” I said. “I know. I was there.”

Teddy huffed. “Were you? Are you sure it wasn’t your evil twin who’s starting to stir shit up? Or maybe you’re sleepwalking? Or maybe you’ve actually been possessed by one of the Devil’s Boot demons and you have no control over your body…”

She trailed off, and I shook my head. “You’re insane, Teddy baby,” I said, letting a nickname roll off my tongue. “I’ve got to go to work.” I stepped closer and moved her copper hair behind her shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”

“Oh yeah?” Teddy said, and I stayed where I was. “How can I be sure you’re not going to change your mind, make me keep a secret for seven years, and act like you can’t stand me?”

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