Page 16 of True Blue

Teddy holds my gaze.

"I think they'd just make me like you more."

God, how does he do that?

Make me believe that he would just like me more after finding out how particular I am, how I shut down when overwhelmed, how I can become a real fucking bitch when I'm uncomfortable or scared. That I’m defensive and petty, that I can be judgmental without realizing it, that I’m a bit of a control freak. How sometimes I just need to be alone with my headphones on, pretending the world doesn't exist.

And he’s seen it, but he’s still here.

For the past couple of months, Teddy Williams has become a fixture in my life. None of my past girlfriends or boyfriends ever made me feel strongly enough to consider making things permanent.

Not until Teddy.

He's patient and understanding of my schedule, which sometimes runs over if I need to speak a little longer to a patient or help out another resident. He's deeply kind in a way I've never experienced from a man before, just gentle and sweet with everyone he encounters.

He'll offer Nana Ellie his arm when we walk into a cafe, before extending his other arm to me.

I blinked in confusion the first time he did it, but he just smiled softly.

"Gotta let these other guys know I've got the prettiest doctor on my arm," he winked at me.

My cheeks were warm throughout the entire meal, especially when Ellie smirked at us over her coffee.

He talks so positively about his family, his mom and dad and older sisters. How they always have Sunday dinner every single week, holidays meals and family parties.

He makes me laugh when he talks about his best friends and roommates—Luke, an NP who works in an affiliated hospital of Hyde Cancer Center, and Heath, an IT specialist.

A barista brings over a wet rag to us to clean up the table. Teddy takes it with a grin and a thank you to wipe the sticky mess.

I grab his half-empty cup and send him a grin as I carefully pour some of my iced tea into his lemonade cup and then pour some of that combo into mine.

“When life gives you lemons,” I mutter, before smiling as I hand him his drink. “Make an Arnold Palmer.”

Teddy hums as he sips the drink, my eyes pointedly don’t track the way he licks his lips after. But my flushing face probably gives away my thoughts.

“A crisp can when you’re hungover is heaven,” Teddy sighs and I nod in agreement.

"I practically lived on them in college," I grin, taking a sip through the straw.

"I still can't believe you supported yourself through med school," Teddy shakes his head, his voice impressed. "I only went to college because my dad kept hounding me. 'How can I trust you to take over if you don’t know anything about business, Theo?'"

"Your business degree could come in handy, though," I point out. "For when you're a world-famous artist."

"Yeah, right,” he snorts derisively. “It's not going to happen, Indie."

"Why not?" I challenge, not liking his tone.

He ducks his head, his mouth twisting.

"Because... I'm an electrician."

"And an artist.”

"You haven't even seen any of my work,” he protests, shaking his head. “I could be awful."

"So, show me," I shrug.

He straightens in his chair, though his face looks guarded. "You'd… really want to see them?"