The Call Boy I Met in Paris — Episode 18
“Teddy Bear?” The affectionate nickname carried across the restaurant a second time, drawing Sophie’s attention toward a tall man approaching with an open smile.
Her entire expression transformed. “Sophie Bear,” he called, spreading his arms. “Come here.”
Sophie rose so quickly that her chair shifted behind her. “Hi!” She embraced him without hesitation, the easy familiarity between them making Justin’s fingers tighten around his menu.
“When did you get back from Barcelona?” Sophie asked. Her delight was unguarded, unlike the cautious smiles she offered most people.
“This morning.” The newcomer held her at arm’s length as if confirming she had not changed during his absence.
“Why didn’t you call me to come get you from the airport?” she demanded. The complaint sounded practiced, suggesting years of similar arrivals and departures.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.” He looked pleased with the result. Sophie laughed and admitted that he had succeeded.
“How did you even know I was here?” she asked. Justin remained silent, though he was beginning to dislike how easily the stranger had found his wife.
“Dummy,” the man teased. “You remember you share your location with my phone? After what happened last time?” The reference to an unknown incident deepened Justin’s unease.
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Any more questions?” Her tone held no offense, only the comfort of a bond too old to require explanation.
Then she seemed to remember the man waiting at the table. “Oh—Justin, meet Teddy, my best friend.” She gestured between them. “Teddy, this is Justin.”
“Ted,” the newcomer corrected as he extended his hand. The childhood nickname apparently belonged to Sophie alone.
“Justin.” Their hands met in a grip that began as a greeting and immediately became a silent contest.
Ted’s smile tightened while Justin applied just enough pressure to make his position clear. “That’s a firm handshake you’ve got there,” Ted observed.
“I’ve been told,” Justin replied. Sophie watched them with growing suspicion, but neither man admitted that anything unusual had occurred.
Ted glanced at the two place settings and then at Sophie’s dress. “Am I interrupting anything?” The question was polite, though his attention lingered on her.
“Actually, we were just—” Justin began. He had intended this to be their first dinner as husband and wife, even if Sophie viewed it as another business arrangement.
“No, join us for dinner,” Sophie interrupted. She was too happy to see her oldest friend to notice the disappointment Justin quickly concealed.
“Great. I’m starving.” Ted claimed the empty chair beside Sophie as if he had always belonged there.
“Great,” Justin echoed without warmth. As Sophie and Ted fell into effortless conversation, he realized Derek had never been a serious rival—but the man who called his wife Sophie Bear might be an entirely different threat.
