“Grown-up stuff,” Tessa said, ruffling Lucy’s hair as she passed. “Nothing important.”
But it was important. That was the problem. Somewhere between yesterday’s lunch shift and this morning’s fairy house construction, Matt Thornberg had become important. And Tessa didn’t do important—not with men, not with places. Important meant vulnerable. Important meant the potential for loss.
Yet as she helped Rachel back inside and started clearing away the breakfast dishes, she couldn’t stop her mind from wandering forward to noon, to the restaurant, to dark eyes that seemed to see straight through her carefully constructed defenses.
Defenses that were beginning to crumble.
Chapter Eight – Matt
So, now you build fairy houses?Matt’s bear teased.
I do. And don’t try to tell me you didn’t enjoy every minute of it,Matt replied as he leaned back and inspected the dishes on the counter in front of him.
Oh, I did,his bear said.But I’d have enjoyed it so much more if I’d been the one helping.
Matt chuckled as he picked up the plates.You know, when Aria and Lucy find out about you, they’ll probably put flowers in your fur.
Can’t wait,his bear said.
And when we have children of our own, you can build them the biggest fairy house Bear Creek has ever seen.Matt closed his eyes, imagining the scene, before the sounds of Sunday lunchtime at the Thornberg Restaurant jerked him back to reality.
Soon, building fairy houses with our children will be our reality,his bear assured him.
I hope so,Matt said as he sought Tessa out in the crowded restaurant and locked his senses onto her.
“Are you going to serve that food, or just stare at it?” Alan asked from behind him.
“Order up,” he called, sliding two perfectly plated salmon specials onto the pass.
“I got it.” Jenny swept in to collect them with her usual efficiency. She’d been with the restaurant for years. Today, she worked seamlessly with Tessa; the two of them navigated the dining room as if they’d been a team for years rather than days.
That’s because Tessa belongs here,his bear insisted.She fits. Here in the restaurant. And in our lives.
Matt couldn’t argue with that assessment. From his vantage point, he could see what a natural she was, greeting regulars with warm smiles, anticipating needs before customers voiced them, and handling a minor spill with such quick efficiency that most diners never even noticed it happen.
“Are you daydreaming again?” Alan asked.
“You betcha.” Matt flashed a smile at Alan and got back to work.
When the last plate was cleared and the last customer had departed, along with most of the kitchen staff, Matt emerged from the kitchen to find Tessa wiping down tables with Jenny, her hair escaping its practical ponytail to frame her face in soft tendrils. She looked tired but content, the kind of bone-deep satisfaction that came from work well done.
His bear perked up immediately.Now. Talk to her now before she leaves.
Matt wiped his hands on a kitchen towel, his mind suddenly blank. What was he going to say? “Good service today,” he said, approaching their table.
Yeah, that will do it,his bear said dryly.
I’m trying,Matt told his bear.
“Smooth as silk,” Jenny agreed, straightening up and placing her hand on the small of her back. “I’m heading out if that’s okay? Got dinner with my sister tonight.”
Matt nodded, grateful for her tactful exit. “Go ahead. Thanks for today.”
As Jenny departed with a knowing smile, Matt turned to Tessa, suddenly aware of the quiet that had settled over therestaurant. Just the two of them now, in this moment before she slipped away to Rachel’s house and her real life.
“I wanted to ask you something,” he said before he could overthink it. “If you have a few minutes.”
Curiosity brightened her eyes. “Sure. What is it?”
