And thatsomeoneis Ted. The big oaf cooks all our meals since he was a chef in another life, or was it a bodyguard? I forget.
The moment the elevator doors open, I barrel down the corridor, hollering out a victory cry. “Honey, I’m home!”
Honey isTed, of course. He may not know it, but he’s my secret husband. The guy won my heart ever since he cooked me my very first meal, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.
He acts as if he hates me, but I know he loves me deep down.
Hiroshi, the more subdued of the two of us, walks at a respectable pace behind me, but I leave him to it as I barge into the kitchen to find Ted at the stove, a worry line etched between his caterpillar eyebrows.
“Whatcha cooking, Teddybear?”
I go to sneak a peek into the pot he has simmering over the stove, but he shoves me away, snapping his teeth.
I throw my hands up. “Easy. I was just curious.”
Ted won’t stop growling as his eyes lose a little focus, and I step away, putting more distance between us.
What has gotten into my Teddybear today?
Hiroshi enters the kitchen, leaning against the wall as he watches Ted carefully with those calculating eyes.
“Something appears to have deeply upset our Theodore, Fionn. Take note of the dark line between his eyebrows.”
I noticed the line too, but I just got too excited when I smelled the sauce he had cooking in the pot.
Smells like we’re having spaghetti and meatballs. My favorite. Ted knows me so well.
I snort. “When does the grump never have lines on his face?”
Ted snarls. “I canhearyou, ya know. I’m angry, not deaf!”
Angry? Oh, no.
I put on my stupid baby voice as I approach him carefully, hoping he understands that I mean no harm.
I’m his friend. Hell, I’d be his husband if he so much as let me. His food is that good.
You cook me a good meal, and I’ll fall head over heels for you.
“Aw, why my wittle Teddybear so angry? Want me to stick a knife in someone for you? Give me a name, and I’ll find them.”
Ted sneers at me, and his intense gray eyes say it all. It’s someone we know. Someone we can’t touch.
Well, not unless we stage a mutiny.
“Killian,” he grumbles.
Dang. I can’t stab my own boss. But that mutiny plan is looking sweeter by the second.
I love Killian, but Teddybear is my main man. I’d move mountains for that big lug.
Pure guy love. It’s healthy.
Hiroshi speaks, and his robotic monotone just dampens the mood. “What did Killian do?”
Ted sighs. “Just smell the air and you’ll know. Notice anything different?”
Hiroshi and I sniff, and that’s when I catch it. Cinnamon. My heart accelerates. “You made us cinnamon buns again? I...I fucking love you, man...”