"And he's single-handedly running that tree farm now, right? Such a big responsibility. He must be incredibly strong. Capable." Tessa's smile turned sly. "All those muscles from chopping wood and hauling trees around."
Riley's fingers tightened on her car door. Was Tessa—was she openly admiring Grant? Right now? To Riley's face?
"He works hard," Riley managed.
"I bet he does." Tessa straightened, adjusting her sunglasses. "Well, I should let you go. But I'm sure I'll see you around. Pine Valley's so small, we'll probably run into each other constantly."
"Probably."
"Oh! Are you going to the tree lighting later this week?"
"I—maybe."
"You should. It's supposed to be beautiful this year. Very romantic." Tessa's smile was pure strategy. "I'm definitely going. Maybe I'll see you and Grant there."
"Maybe."
"Perfect. We can all catch up properly." Tessa waved and climbed into her SUV. "See you later, Riley!"
She drove off, leaving Riley standing in the parking lot, hands clenched into fists.
Mr. Dependable.
The words echoed in Riley's head, dripping with condescension and something else. Interest. Tessa was interested in Grant.
And why wouldn't she be? Grant was attractive, successful, kind. The kind of man who helped little old ladies without being asked. The kind of man who showed up when he said he would.
The kind of man Riley had let slip away once before.
Riley climbed into her car and gripped the steering wheel, her pulse pounding in her ears.
This was fake. This whole thing with Grant was fake. Which meant she had no right to feel this hot, sick jealousy churning in her stomach.
No right at all.
But she felt it anyway.
Back home, Riley threw herself into dinner prep with enough force that her mother asked twice if she was okay.
"I'm fine."
"You've been aggressively mashing those potatoes for five minutes."
Riley looked down. The potatoes were pulverized. "Sorry."
"Did something happen at the store?"
"No. Just…ran into some people."
"Anyone interesting?"
"Tessa Martin."
Her mother's eyebrows rose. "Oh. How is she?"
"Divorced. Glamorous. Back in town."
"Ah." Carol took the masher from Riley's death grip. "And she said something that bothered you."
