Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty-Six

"What's that?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Another salon," I said.

"It's empty," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious."

Teddy shook his head. "No, what I mean is..." He smiled. "I'm thinking we could... enter the salon?"

"What for?" I asked. "I thought we were going home."

Teddy rolled his eyes. "It'll just be quick."

"We could get in trouble..." I said.

Teddy rolled his eyes and started entering the dark, empty room. "Live a little!" he exclaimed from inside the room.

I sighed and followed him inside. Once inside, Teddy turned on the lights, and we saw several tables and chairs piled up in a corner.

"They're probably preparing for another event," I said. "Let's go."

Teddy squeezed my shoulder to keep me from walking away.

"No, wait," he said. He grinned and took out his phone. "How about some music?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

I sighed. "Right now?"

"Yes, Chris, right now." Teddy smiled. "Do you want to dance with me?" he asked, extending his hand.

I smirked. "Of course."

Teddy put the music on. We were dancing to "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran.

When your legs don't work like they used to before,

And I can't sweep you off of your feet

Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?

Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?

We moved to the slow beat of the song, and my heart started racing as Teddy kissed my forehead.

"Listen to this," he muttered.

And, darling, I will be loving you till we're seventy

And, baby, my heart could still fall as hard at twenty-three

"I'm eighteen, but okay," he whispered.

I chuckled. Teddy and I were still dancing, and our bodies were closer than they had been while we danced at prom. I could feel his heart beat against mine.

And I'm thinking about how people fall in love in mysterious ways,

Maybe just the touch of a hand

He grabbed my hand and caressed it softly with his gentle fingers, making me smile.

Well, me, I fall in love with you every single day,

And I just want to tell you I am

He kissed my lips gently.

So honey now,

Take me into your loving arms

He placed my arms around his shoulders and closed his eyes.

Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars

Place your head on my beating heart

I leaned my head on his chest, and I could actually feel his heart beating as fast as mine was.

We kept dancing for the rest of the song, and once we were done, Teddy was grinning and staring firmly at me.

"I love you, Chris," he muttered. "That was my sudden realization. It hit me like a bullet in the chest."