Page 12 of True Blue

Not that I can do anything about that.

Ellie is my patient. Teddy is her grandson. There are rules and ethics that would prevent anything from happening between us.

And not that it would happen anyway. He’s probably attracted to me, but someone like him belongs with someone softer and sweeter.

“So, what’s the game today?” Teddy asks, looking back and forth between us.

“Go fish,” I shake my head to clear my rather depressing thoughts, and huff as I show him my cards. “Ellie’s kicking my ass.”

Teddy snorts and looks right at his Nana.

“Yeah, that’s because she cheats,” Teddy mock-whispers.

Ellie’s eyes go wide, a very much ‘oh-no-I’m-caught’ expression crossing her face.

My eyebrow raises. “That makes sense.”

“Theodore Williams,” Ellie squawks, laying a hand on her chest. “I am a lady—I do not cheat!”

“Mhm,” Teddy smirks. “Then how come you’ve got an Ace up your sleeve?”

He points to the sweater sleeve that her other hand covers protectively. Narrowing my eyes, I reach toward it, and sure enough, Ellie’s got some cards hiding in her sleeve.

“Well how did that get in there?” Ellie gasps dramatically.

“Ellie Ambrose,” I gasp, making Teddy chuckle. “How could you!”

“I’m an old lady with old tricks,” Ellie sniffs, haughtily. “You kids will learn one day.”

Teddy and I share a look before we burst out into laughter. He grabs Ellie’s cards and then holds his hands out for mine. I hand them over, and our fingers brush—barely—but enough for me to feel his warm, callused fingers against mine.

With the way his forearm muscles flex, it seems the jolt running up my arm has run up his too.

Whatever that means.

My eyes fly to his, but he’s already looking at me. A small smile on his lips, and his eyes a little heavy.

The feelings in my chest are overwhelming, and the pounding of my heart a little concerning, so I clear my throat and stand.

“I have patients—I mean I have to get back to my patients.”

Teddy stands too, shooting up out of the chair a little too quickly and sending the cards scattering all over the floor.

We all freeze in shock, before Ellie laughs.

“Aw, Teddy Bear,” Ellie teases warmly. “How’d you know I wanted to play 52 card pickup?”

Teddy’s cheeks go bright red, and I smirk, reaching behind Ellie’s neck when I spot the Queen of Hearts hiding there. I hold it between my first two fingers.

“51 it seems,” I say, narrowing my eyes.

“Now, how did that get in there?” Ellie gasps, making me laugh. I hand the card to Teddy, who’s kneeling on the floor and currently cleaning up the mess. He looks up, and I place the card in his hand, only this time his fingers close around mine for a moment.

Teddy just looks at me, and I just look right back at him. His cheeks are still pink, and no doubt mine are the same, but his eyes... so beautiful. And bright. And soft.

I just stare, not feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, just warm.

Until the moment stretches and I realize how our position looks—like he’s proposing to me. As I pull back my hand, he lets go immediately, though the smile remains on his face.