“Bummer.”
I snap the lid closed and set it on the counter. “Want to play a game?”
Two hours and many games of Gin Rummy later, I am more than a little tipsy.
“Your turn to shuffle. I’ll be right back,” I say as I stand from the couch and my legs wobble.
Teddy eyes me carefully as I steady myself. “You should eat something.”
“I’m fine.” I use my phone as a flashlight in the bathroom. After I’m finished, I wash my hands and then text Stella to let her know the power is out, but we’re okay.
Her response is immediate, and I’d put good money on it being because she was texting Beau.You’re snowed in with Teddy AND the lights are out?!She then proceeds to add a bunch of emojis—snow, house, hearts, an eggplant.
I start to tell her it isn’t like that, but maybe it can be? I’m aware it’s likely the alcohol talking, but I let myself believe it anyway. At least we’re having fun and I’m actually talking to him.
Teddy is looking at his phone when I return. He slides it into his pocket and sits forward. I grab a cookie from the plate. The Santa one with a bulge, as chance would have it.
“You gave Santa a third leg,” I say, holding it up.
Teddy’s cheeks go pink. “I shouldn’t be allowed in the kitchen.”
I take a bite of Santa’s head and Teddy watches intently, his pupils widening. He clears his throat and picks up the cards. “Another game?”
While we play, I munch on cookies and pay more attention to Teddy than the cards in my hand. He smiles at me, playful and flirty, and more than once, his stare drops to my mouth.
“Do you want another drink?” I ask as I fill my glass again. All those cookies made me thirsty.
He hesitates. “That depends. How are you feeling?”
“What?”
“I want to be able to take care of you if you get sick.” He rubs the back of his neck like he’s embarrassed to have said it out loud.Ugh.That’s totally something a big brother would think and not a guy hoping to see you naked.
“I’m fine. I think the sugar helped.” I stand up and proceed to walk in a straight line, arms out. The movement lifts my sweater above my belly button, and Teddy’s gaze drops to my bare skin. “See? I’m fine.”
His throat works with a swallow. His voice is like gravel when he says, “Yeah, I’ll have another drink.”
The way he watches me makes me feel powerful, or maybe that’s the alcohol talking. I start for the kitchen, but he says, “I can get it.”
He grabs two beers, opens one and takes a long drink. Then his eyes are on me again. My heart beats so loudly, I’m sure he can hear it. It feels like an invisible line is tugging us together, but he doesn’t budge.
Stella’s words echo in my head.You have to make a move because he never will.
I don’t know how Teddy feels about me. These heated looks are in direct contradiction to his actions, but maybe Stella is right. Is it possible he has noticed me the way I notice him? That he sees me as more than Felix’s little sister?
I go to him before I come up with an answer. His brows tug together in confusion at my nearness, but it doesn’t stop me. My courage is a living, breathing thing propelling me forward. Lifting up on my toes, I kiss him. His lips are soft and warm. He tastes like sugar and beer, and I know I said it was a terrible combination, but I was so wrong.
My hands rest on his chest and I lean into him, so our entire upper bodies are mashed together. My body vibrates. It is everything I hoped it would be.
I’m so into it that it takes me a moment to realize that he isnotinto it. His immovable lips underneath mine sober me up instantly. I freeze, hoping he’ll take over or come to his senses. He doesn’t.
I step back, hand flying to cover my mouth, like I can erase that kiss by wiping away the evidence from my lips.
Oh god. What have I done?What have I freaking done?!
Teddy’s expression is impossible to read. Shocked? Horrified? Stunned?
I move backward, fingers still covering my tingling lips.