"I'm not sure we should do this anymore," I say breathlessly as Teddy devours my neck.
"Do what?" he asks, not even bothering to look up.
"This…thing. I feel guilty that you're cheating on my cousin with me."
Teddy finally looked up. "Don't feel guilty, James. This is my choice."
"But I'm just as guilty as you are," I cry, falling back on my bed.
Teddy looked at me pityingly.
"I'm sorry I got you into this, James. I love you, but I just can't seem to break it off with Victoire."
"So what're you going to do? Just continue on with this mess? You know that whole family is expecting you to pop the question any day now."
Teddy nodded. "I know. Especially my grandmother. She won't get off my back about it. But James, I'm going to make a promise to you." He said as I covered my eyes with my arm.
"What?" I asked wearily.
"I promise you, James, that I'll break it off with Victoire by the end of the year."
I uncover my eyes and look at him, but his eyes only reflect sincerity. I sighed.
"You said the same thing last week and the week before that." I point out.
"I know, but this time I'll really do it. I don't want this…affair to go on for too long."
Well how long is too long? I ask myself, but to him I say, "Well you have the better part of a month, Teddy. If you don't break it off with her, I'm breaking it off with you."
I get off of the bed and leave the room, hearing Teddy sigh and follow after me. But, as luck should have it, as we walk towards the family room where everyone else was, the fireplace roared and the one person I wanted to see the least stepped out gracefully.
Her face lit up when she turned in my direction. She ran directly into Teddy's arms and the adults cooed while the younger ones turned away bashfully.
"Hey, James," she said, half of her face turned toward me, the other half smushed against Teddy's chest.
"How are you? Were you and Teddy behaving yourselves while I was gone?"
I smiled weakly and shrugged.
If only Victoire knew.