“I’m sorry,” Everett said, putting Bernadette on the ground. “Did you say I was your boyfriend?”
“Shit,” Teddy muttered. “Didn’t mean to say that part out loud.”
“So am I, then?” Everett asked, leaning forward. “Your boyfriend?”
“I guess that depends,” Teddy said lightly.
“On what?” Everett asked, so close their lips were almost touching.
“On whether or not you’re asking me to be your girlfriend,” Teddy said.
Everett kissed her, holding her face in both his hands. “Teddy, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend and accepting all responsibilities contained therein, including but not limited to (a) spending time with me and (b) that’s pretty much it?”
“Where do I sign?” Teddy smiled and kissed Everett again. “Yes. I’ll be your girlfriend.”
“Glad that’s settled,” Everett said. He kept one arm around her as he said, “It’s okay. You don’t want to work for the show. I get it.”
Teddy frowned. “Do you?”
Everett shrugged. “I think it would be great, but if you don’t want to do it, you don’t want to do it. I’m not going to be upset or try to convince you.”
Teddy smiled in relief, even if part of her wasn’t sure Everett completely understood what she was saying. “I didn’t even tell you, I might have actually figured out what I want to do with my life. Josie wants me to take over Colossal Toys. I could be a business owner!”
“Wow,” Everett said, eyes wide. “That’s a big deal. Do you want to run the store?”
Teddy shifted uncomfortably. “Well, I don’t know. Honestly, owning a business doesn’t sound like much fun, but jobs aren’t always fun, are they? I mean, you’re following your dream and it still involves a lot of work, right?”
“Well.” Everett nodded. “Yeah. No job is enjoyable all of the time.”
“Exactly,” Teddy said, reassured. “I don’t even know if I want to do it yet. But this might be my thing! My passion!”
Everett leaned forward and kissed her again. “Then I’m happy for you. Congratulations.”
Teddy smiled. “Thanks, boyfriend.”
“You’re very welcome, girlfriend.”
“Well, since we now have this official designation, it seems only right that we celebrate,” Teddy said.
Everett tucked her hair behind her ear. “Oh, yeah? And how would we do that?”
Teddy smiled. “Oh, I can think of a few ways.”
* * *
—
WHEN TEDDY WAS about to leave, she finally asked Everett the question she was dreading. “Oh, um . . . wouldyoumaybewanttogotodinneratmymom’shouse?”
Everett paused. “Were those . . . words?”
Teddy took a deep breath. “Would you like to go to dinner at my mom’s house tomorrow? With me?”
Everett smiled. “Would be kinda strange if I went without you.”
“Just answer the question,” Teddy said with a straight face.
“Of course!” Everett put his hands on her shoulders. “Who wouldn’t want to hang out with your family?”
After Teddy was silent for a few moments, Everett said, “Oh.”
“Not that I want to talk about him anymore, but Richard always had some excuse for why he couldn’t come see my family. It was . . . well, it was embarrassing, you know? To constantly have to tell them why he wasn’t there.”
“I’m sorry.” Everett wrapped her in a hug and said into her hair, “You tell me the time and I’ll be there.”
“Yeah?” Teddy smiled.
“Of course.” Everett kissed her on the forehead, and Teddy couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so safe, so secure, so . . . well, so loved. As she felt the rise and fall of Everett’s chest under her cheek, she realized that she couldn’t imagine being happier, and this was all because she’d done the things that scared her. Because she’d taken a chance, she’d emailed Everett, she’d agreed to go out with him even though she was terrified.
It turned out that taking control of your own life was actually kind of amazing.
52
Dear Teddy,
I forgot to clarify: what should I wear to dinner tomorrow? Is this formal? Semiformal? Beachy casual (a real description from a wedding invitation I once received)?
Beachily,
Everett
Dear Everett,
Yes, beachy casual.
Thanks for asking,
Teddy
Dear Teddy,
Okay, seriously, I know that dinner at your mother’s house in Ohio in November doesn’t have a “beachy casual” dress code but now I’m worried. Am I going to look bad if I don’t show up in a Hawaiian shirt and board shorts?
Getting my feet flip-flop ready,
Everett
Dear Everett,
Frankly, I’m concerned that you own board shorts.
No dress code. Wear whatever you want. Everyone’s going to love you.
See you tomorrow,
Teddy
53
The next morning, Astrid texted Everett to tell him that their meeting with the Imagination Network had been