Ted nods. “I think we are ready to order too.”
“Okay, what would you like?”
Ted orders us each a steak, medium-rare, baked potato sides, and a bottle of merlot.
“Actually, Ted, I was going to have the—”
He takes my hand. “Trust me.”
I decide not to argue in front of the server. He’s never been pushy like this, so he’s probably just excited to share with me something he likes.
I give a small nod, and the server leaves.
“Why did you order for me?” I ask when we’re alone again.
He’s still holding my hand, and I’m getting uncomfortable.
“Because I know you will really love this. Trust me, Lucy.”
Feeling uneasy, I take a sip of water using my free hand.
“Do you think he did it?” Ted asks abruptly.
“What? Who?”
“Cody. I overheard Randy’s friends talking. They said your boyfriend was arrested for his murder. Is that true?”
I pull my hand from his. “He was arrested, but no, I don’t.”
“Are you sure?”
What the hell is this? I cross my arms. “I thought you said we don’t have to talk about it.”
He grins. “You’re right. I’m sorry. But I will say I’m happy you aren’t with him anymore. He sounds very dangerous. I mean, he was arrested formurder.”
My stomach churns. I’m fully aware of the charge and the last thing I want is another reminder or to have to discuss it with Ted. Fortunately, he drops it, and we sit in silence until our meals arrive. Grateful to have food to focus on, I cut into my steak. When it literally bleeds on the plate, I put my utensils down and look around for the server.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s too rare.”
“Let me see.” He grabs my plate and inspects the meat. “It looks perfect.”
“Yeah, to you, but I prefer my steak well done.”
His jaw ticks. “Lucy, the steak is perfect. Now eat it.”
I jerk my head back and blink, stunned he’s ordering me to eat something I don’t want. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap. “I’ve never seen this side of you.”
Ted smiles. “Well, I finally realized you like your men more alpha, after seeing your last one.”
“My men?”
Ted cuts a piece of steak and then chews it while considering me. “Well, let’s see. Joseph wasn’t particularly strong, and I still don’t see what you saw in him, but we have Cody, the former SEAL. Before that was Sean, the detective.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Sean? What the hell? I went on two dates with Sean before we decided there was no chemistry and parted ways. I was working at the university then, but I never told Ted about him.
“How do you know about Sean?”
