I stop, startled by his anger.
“Sorry, I get defensive about my friends.”
I give him another smile. “Actually, the class wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
“No? That’s good.”
We walk in silence until we reach Kelly’s.
When he holds the door open for me, I notice he’s scowling. “How are you doing today? Everything all right?” I ask.
He blows out a breath. “No, it’s not. But I don’t want to discuss my department’s funding problems.”
The moment we enter, the smell of freshly baked bread and soup hits me, and my stomach growls. “Funding problems? I thought the school had plenty of alma mater donors.”
Ted laughs. “They do, but apparently, they’re more excited about sports than computer science.”
“I’m sorry. But I’m sure if you talk to Charles Ziff, he’ll figure something out. He seems nice.”
Ted’s brows shoot up. “Just go and talk to the university’s president? That would be ballsy, going over the head of academics.” He chews on his lip. “I’m sure it will work out.”
We make our way into the long line.
“Have you heard from Cody?” he asks. “He’s due back anytime, right?”
“I’m not sure when he’s coming back.”
That’s a lie. I know exactly when he’s returning, because Cody has texted me every chance he’s gotten during the past month. At first, he would send some silly joke, but then a couple of weeks ago, he began texting memories. Memories of us all those years ago. And all of it makes me miss him more.
I finally gave in and texted back. I couldn’t help it. I miss him so much. Although, I should still be mad at him for trying to turn me against Ted.
I asked Ted if he brought a woman home, which led to an embarrassing conversation where I had to admit that my ex followed him. I also apologized profusely for the invasion of his privacy.
Ted actually found it funny, and to explain, he showed me a photo of his brother, who lives with him. The two look very much alike. It’s easy to see how Cody could have been mistaken, especially at night.
Once I learned that, my anger toward Cody softened. He really did think he was looking out for me; he’s protective by nature, I know this.
Ted and I move up in line.
“Maybe if I show Cody a photo of your brother, it will resolve his concerns,” I tell him.
Ted places his hand on my shoulder, turning me slightly. “Why would you do that? You said you weren’t going to see him when he returns.”
I bite my lip. I did say that, but that was before I had a month to think and read all of Cody’s texts. Including the last one where he admitted he became too protective of me and understands why I found him controlling.
“What can I get you?” a boy on the other side of the counter asks.
Saved just in time.We place our orders, and I get mine to go.
As I leave the shop moments later, I think I’m in the clear and walk fast toward my office, but then Ted catches up to me.
“Hey, you didn’t answer my last question.”
“It was a question?” I dodge.
“Yes. You aren’t going to see Cody, right? When he returns? Please tell me you haven’t changed your mind. You were so upset.”
It’s true. I was upset when I talked to Ted the Monday after Cody left for Afghanistan. I was upset at how we left things. I was upset that I thought he tried to control me. But mostly, I was upset because I had fallen for him again. Or maybe my feelings were always there, lying dormant, waiting for the right moment.But is now the right moment?
