“That’s what worries me,” Mark replied.
Teddy glanced over as Sydney looked his way. Even from across the room, the love in her eyes touched his heart. She was his forever person. His one and only. His soulmate.
“I’ve never seen her look at anyone the way she looks at you,” Mark said. “I wondered who would capture her heart. You seem like a good man, Tank. I’m glad it’s you.”
“I love her,” Teddy said. “Hang on a second.” He sidled next to Kathrine who was peering into the oven.
“Kathrine, can I borrow you real quick?” Teddy asked her.
Once she joined her husband, Teddy murmured, “I’d like to get your blessing. I know it might sound crazy, Sydney and I haven’t known each other long?—”
“Mark and I knew each other a few months before he proposed,” Kathrine said.
“When you know, you know,” Mark added.
“Absolutely,” Teddy replied.
Kathrine smiled. “We’ve heard wonderful things about you from Caroline, from Grey,andfrom Gabriel. We see the type of man you are, and we think you’re a great fit for our Sydney. She’s tough on the outside, but tender-hearted at her core. She’s been through a lot in her young life.”
“Do I have your blessing?” Teddy glanced from Kathrine to Mark.
“Yes,” they both said.
Kathrine gave him a hug and Mark extended his hand again.
“Absolutely,” Kathrine added.
“Absolutely what?” Sydney asked as she joined them.
“To looping Tank into the Austin mayhem,” Mark said, and everyone laughed.
“Did you tell them?” Sydney asked.
Teddy shook his head. “Of course not.”
“Tell us what?” Kathrine said. “Did you elope?”
“Did who elope?” Caroline asked, Greystone by her side.
“No way,” Sydney replied.
“I was telling your parents how much I love you,” Teddy said. “They like me, I like them. It’s all good.”
“What about us?” Caroline asked, and everyone laughed.
“I love you guys too,” Teddy said. “Group hug.”
As laughter filled the room and the family came together in a tangled mess, Teddy felt complete. But he also knew that for every moment of happiness, there were four times as many hardships coming down the pike.
The eighty-twenty rule… in reverse.
He was hoping that, one day, he could tip the scales to his advantage. But as long as he was hunting the worst of humanity,he would spend his days and his nights chasing the twenty percent.
The Thanksgiving meal was delicious. He ate too much turkey, too much stuffing, just enough homemade cranberry sauce, four rolls too many, and a giant scoop of mashed potatoes. When he skipped the steamed broccoli, Sydney placed a single floret in the center of his plate.
“Gotta eat your veggies,” she said.
“As you wish,” he replied before popping the floret into his mouth.