Exhausted, I take a seat on Garrison’s couch. After checking in with my mom and Anastasia, and ensuring the boat was prepared in case any storms roll in while I’m gone, I’ve completed all of my pre-mission tasks.
They’ve become second nature to me now, but it still doesn’t make saying goodbye to Mom and Anastasia any easier.
I know all too well that, even when a mission seems like it’ll be smooth, there are a million things that can go wrong.
Garrison headed over to the community center as soon as I got in, and the others are preparing to take off in two hours. The private plane Brenda sent for us is already at the small airstrip outside of town, fueled and ready to go when we are.
I sigh. Of all the missions I’ve been on, all the times I’ve had to say goodbye to my family, this one is the hardest. Glancing back at her door, I will it to open so I can see her before I leave. I could go knock. See if she’s up, but I’d hate to wake her when I know she’s been struggling to sleep.
So, I lean my head back and close my eyes. Not a minute later, though, I hear the faint squeak of the door behind me and turn to see Tessa step into the living room. Bathed in the soft light from outside, she’s a sight to behold in blue leggings and one of my flannel shirts. It falls to just below her thighs, and the bright red plaid contrasts perfectly with the dark strands of her hair where it rests just past the collar.
“Hey. Sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t.” I smile, and she returns it, then crosses over to sit beside me. “Did you get any rest?”
“Not really,” she admits, then chews on her bottom lip. Her tell for having something on her chest that she wants to say but isn’t sure she should.
“What is it?”
“That obvious?” she asks.
“I know you exceptionally well.”
“I’m worried. And I know that I don’t really have a right to be after what I did. But I—” I silence her when I slip a hand around the back of her neck and pull her in for a kiss.
Those soft lips move against mine, a friction that causes a hammering in my blood.
Pulling away, I rest my forehead against hers. “If you have no right to be worried about me, then I have no right to be worried about you. And, I am.”
“I’m not going anywhere, though.”
I pull away. “That didn’t keep someone from trying to take your life twice already.”
Tessa takes my hand in hers. “Please come back to me. I want to know what’s next for us. I want to see where this can go. My life has been incomplete without you, Zane.”
Reaching up, I cup her cheek in my hand and run the pad of my thumb over her soft skin. “I just got you back, Tessa. I’m not going anywhere.”
She smiles, then leans in to press her lips to mine. The simple gesture sends heat through my body with such force that it would have knocked me to my knees if I weren’t already sitting. Tessa stirs desire in me unlike anything I’ve ever felt because it’s coupled with love.
And the fact that, even after so many years apart, I can still clearly picture our future.
It’s slightly different now, but still there.
Clear as crystal.
The front door opens, and Garrison walks in.
Tessa and I pull apart, but I drape an arm around her shoulders, and she leans against me.
“I can leave and come back,” Garrison offers with a grin.
Tessa laughs, and I smile at my friend. “No need. Everything okay?”
His amused expression falters. “I have this kid I’m working with who is really struggling with self-worth. It’ll be okay, though. I’ll get him there.” He smiles. “You guys up for dinner? The diner is serving meatloaf tonight, and I’m starved.”
I look over at Tessa. Aside from church service and Anastasia’s café, she’s been reluctant to go many places since she hasn’t wanted to face anyone in town just yet.
“That actually sounds great,” she says with a smile.
