Page 173 of True Blue

Teddy

Of course!

Giddy now, I let out a quiet squeal and spin around in my chair before realizing I’m still at work, and a couple of the nurses are now looking at me in amusement.

Clearing my throat, I smooth back my ponytail and roll my chair back to the desk to complete my notes.

But before I do, I send one more text, with a smile on my face.

It’s a date.

The heart reaction comes a second later.

His and mine.

“That really is a rodent of unusual size,” Teddy exclaims as we stand side by side, looking at the capybara enclosure. “Look at the size of it!”

“The baby is so cute,” I laugh, bending down to get a closer look. The baby is cuddled close to its mama, whose eyes are closed like she’s relaxed. “It’s just a miniature version of its mommy.”

“It’s like a guinea pig on steroids,” Teddy says, making me laugh.

Turning toward him, I see him lowering his phone after taking a picture. I smile at him, and he lifts it again, taking another photo of us. My stomach flips at the smile on his face, and I drop my gaze back down to the little coconut-looking creature.

“What should we name him?” Teddy asks then.

I point at the small sign that provides all the information about the capybaras. “I think they’ve already named him—Buddy.”

Teddy waves a hand. “That’s a dumb name. We could come up with something better than that. This little guy deserves something more dignified, like… Larry.”

“Larry?” I laugh, incredulous. “That’s a dignified name to you?”

“Larry for short,” Teddy says with complete seriousness. “Full name is Lawrence Lexington… The Third.”

That makes me throw my head back and laugh, tears coming to my eyes. I don’t even realize until it’s too late that Teddy has raised his phone again and taken another photo.

“Teddy!”

“What?” Teddy’s smile turns a little shy. “You looked beautiful.”

My cheeks heat, and I bite my lip to hide my own smile. It does nothing for the swooping sensation in my stomach at those tender words.

God, there I go falling for him again.

Taking a deep breath, I look back at our new friend, who is chewing a snack, completely unconcerned with the silly humans.

“Alright, Lawrence, hope you like your new name,” I tell him, snickering. “Larry. Remind me to get veto power on children⁠—”

I cut myself off, realizing what I’ve just said.

Teddy is frozen, too.

For one long, terrifying second, neither of us says anything, but the look on Teddy’s face looks like I’ve just given him gold.

And I realize I’m not truly scared about what I’ve said.

“Uh, I want to see the cats!” I squeak, standing up from my crouched position and speed-walking ahead. “Come on!”

“Whatever you want, honey,” I think I hear him say, but I’m not quite sure. It still makes a smile spread across my face as joy settles in my belly.