Page 152 of Craving Consequences

Drats.

“Want a cup?” Teddy asks, rummaging through neatly organized cupboards.

Yes!

“No, thank you,” I grumble, edging slightly closer. “I don’t want to take too much of your time. I was actually hoping you had the papers with you I could sign.”

He pauses and turns. His head cocks to one side and he peers at me through his glasses.

“I do...”

Abandoning his rifling, he stalks to the satchel slung over the back of a chair at the tiny table tucked into the corner of the kitchen. He flips the top open and unearths a small stack of papers.

“Normally, I’d have these at the office. I was at home when you called so I just printed them here and was going to take them in this morning.” He sets them on the table. “I thought you wanted to look at them next week.” He straightens, one finger poking the frames higher up on his nose. “Is everything okay?”

While I know Teddy isn’t a gossip and he wants this as much as I do, I know better than to trust anyone.

“I’m ready for this and I know if I wait too long, I’ll overthink things and confuse myself.”

His nod is slow, but there is a focus behind his eyes that makes me shift uneasily.

“It’s a big decision. I was honestly surprised by your call yesterday.” He taps the tip of four fingers on the pages. “You don’t have to make any kind of—”

“I want to,” I press quickly. “I need to.”

He studies me for longer than I like so I’m not surprised when he says, “It’s not my business but if this is about what happened with Bron...”

“It’s not ... not entirely,” I correct. “I want to travel and the money will help.”

Teddy hisses through his teeth like I’ve said something wild. His arms fold over his chest and he props a hip against the corner of the table.

“So, you’re leaving,” he muses. “That’s a big life choice.”

I’m hating this conversation. I hate that he’s not just letting me sign. Why is this necessary?

“If this is a problem, I can go to someone else.”

I know my voice is sharp and clipped, but I have a cake melting in the car and a house he’s not letting me sell.

“No. No. I can do it. I just want to make sure you’re really okay with this.” His expression softens. “It was your family home for a long time, and you have your whole life here.”

Hot, angry tears well behind my eyes that I have to grind my jaw to keep from falling. Sharp nails cut into the heels of my hands as I stare at him trying not to fall apart.

“I’m okay with it,” I lie.

He lowers his hand and drags his palms across the grinning faces ofScoobyalong his thighs. “Does Lauren know? Is she going with you?”

A wheeze leaves me.

“Just let me sign the fucking papers, Teddy!” I snap.

His green eyes widen, head snapping back like I’d smacked him.

Taking a breath, I close my eyes. “I’m sorry. That was ... uncalled for. It’s been a long week.” Taking another slow breath, I look at him. “Can I please sign the papers?”

With a slow nod, he pushes upright and digs through his bag for a pen.

I’m shaking as I cross the distance to accept it. The entire room is a hazy blur behind the thick wall of emotions I’m having a really hard time controlling. I try to swallow, but it only lodges around the golf ball squeezed down my esophagus.

---