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It wasn’t the reaction she’d hoped for. “Sorry, I thought you would like it....”

“I do! Ratchet is the name of this Transformer.”

“Oh, right,” Jane said, covering.

“Man, I love this guy! Thank you, Jane.”

He leaned over and kissed her. She felt a tingle of pleasure.

“It’s a collectable. A crazy client had a massive collection with some duplicates.”

“Love it, Jay, thank you!”

Jane pointed at the bag. “There are a couple of other things in there, too.”

“Oh it’s like a Christmas stocking. Sweet!”

Teddy took out the wallet next. “Wow, Jane... this is so cool!”

“It’s a Louis Vuitton, but it doesn’t broadcast that it is.”

It wasn’t the famous brown and beige LV pattern. It was black and simple, the LV monogram subtly embossed.

Teddy caressed the leather. “It’s really well made.”

“It is,” Jane said. “I have to confess, it’s also something I got from a client.”

“I which case I like it even more.”

“Really? Why?”

“It means you think of me while you’re organizing all those uber bougie houses.”

“Yeah, I guess it does,” Jane said, realizing the truth in this.

Next, Teddy reached into the bag and took out a tie. “Fancy!”

“It’s Kiton, a great designer.”

“Fantastic! All of this.” His gaze lingered on her. “And so are you.”

“I’m so glad. I wish you could spend the night, Teddy....”

“I do too, but—really early flight, and it’s going to be full and brutal.”

She embraced him. “I’ll miss you.”

He gently ran his fingers through her hair. “I’ll miss you, too.”

“Have a safe trip, Teddy. I love you.”

She was determined to say it without sounding hesitant like her mother had.

“I love you, too, Jane, I can’t help it for some reason.”

She laughed, then leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, unable to resist pulling off his beanie as she did so.

“You look so much cuter without that ridiculous thing on your head, Teddy.”