The Call Boy I Met in Paris – Episode 46
Ted opened his door before Sophie could knock twice. One look at her face erased his usual teasing smile.
“Come in, Sophie Bear. Make yourself at home.”
The childhood nickname loosened something in her chest. Ted’s apartment had always felt uncomplicated, a place untouched by the rivalries of the Swift family.
He brought her water and sat across from her. “Now tell Teddy Bear who I need to fight.”
“Derek.”
“That narrows nothing down.”
Despite herself, Sophie smiled. Then she explained the Lake Enterprises agreement, the suspended fire-safety approval, and Derek’s demand that she beg for his intervention.
Ted’s expression hardened. “He sabotaged a public-safety review just to corner you?”
“I cannot prove it. He was careful enough to call it a complication, but he knew before the notice appeared.”
“You do not have to prove it tonight. You only have to get the project moving.” Ted took out his phone. “Let me text my guy.”
Sophie blinked. “You have a guy for fire-safety approvals?”
“Construction company, remember? Half my life is permits, inspectors, and convincing bureaucrats to return calls.”
He sent several messages, then leaned back with reassuring confidence. “I’ve got you.”
Sophie’s eyes stung with exhausted gratitude. “You always do.”
“That is what best friends are for.” Ted nudged a bowl of snacks toward her. “Also for feeding architects who forget dinner whenever the world catches fire.”
She realized she had not eaten since leaving Lake Enterprises. As she took a cracker, her phone lit with a message from Justin asking where she was.
Sophie typed that she was with Ted and deleted the sentence. Justin had offered help, but she was not ready to defend seeking a second solution.
Before she could decide what to send, the phone rang. Patrick’s name appeared on the screen.