Alone again,Matt’s bear purred.
“So, this farmers’ market,” Tessa began. “Is there anything you need for the restaurant?”
“I’m mostly browsing, but I might pick up a few specialty items if something catches my eye,” Matt replied, relieved to have a moment alone with her. “I’m always looking to change up the menu at the restaurant. I’m particularly interested in some chilies. And any seasonal vegetables from local farms. I like to support the local economy and producers as much as possible.”
“I like that,” Tessa said with a nod of approval. “And I like these.” She put the rest of her pain au chocolat in her mouth and closed her eyes.
Matt tried not to stare, but it was impossible. But he was quick to look away when she opened them again.
“I’ve been working on your mother’s birthday gift,” she said. “The courtyard sketch. I think it’s coming along nicely.”
“I’m sure it’s perfect,” Matt said, meaning it completely.
Tessa looked up, meeting his eyes directly. “I was thinking... maybe I could show you the progress after the farmers’ market? Get your input before I finalize it?”
His bear practically danced with excitement.She wants more time with us!
“I’d love that,” Matt replied, keeping his voice steady despite the surge of hope her words triggered.Yes, we would,his bear agreed.We have all the time in the world for our mate.
That wasn’t true. Matt needed to be back at the restaurant for eleven thirty at the latest. But he resisted the urge to look at his watch. He didn’t want to rush Tessa. In truth, if they neverreached the farmers’ market and spent the morning here in the sun together, he’d be just as happy.
“I should probably help get the girls ready,” Tessa said, glancing toward the house. “Give me fifteen minutes to change?”
“Take all the time you need,” Matt replied. “I’ll clean up.”
“You don’t have to,” Tessa told him.
“I know.” He gave her a lopsided smile.
She paused, watching him for a moment before nodding. “Thanks.”
As Tessa headed inside, Matt gathered their empty mugs and plates, pure elation bubbling up inside of him. A whole morning with Tessa—the farmers’ market, maybe coffee and cake, reviewing her sketch. It wasn’t a formal date, but it was something.
It’s everything,his bear corrected.It’s a beginning.
Our beginning.Matt carried the dishes inside, where the sound of small feet thundering down the stairs announced the girls’ return. They appeared in the kitchen doorway, now fully dressed for school, backpacks in hand.
“Are you taking Tessa on a date?” Aria asked bluntly, fixing Matt with a surprisingly shrewd look for a seven-year-old.
Matt nearly dropped the plates he was rinsing. “We’re going to the farmers’ market,” he answered carefully.
Lucy’s small face scrunched in concentration as she stared up at Matt. “But if you’re not on a date, why are you bringing her presents?”
“The pastries were for everyone,” Matt explained, feeling a flush of heat creep up his neck. “Not just Tessa.”
“But you looked at her the whole time,” Aria pointed out, crossing her arms with the confidence of someone who had justdelivered irrefutable evidence. “And you smiled extra big when she liked them.”
Matt’s bear rumbled with amusement.They’re observant little cubs.
“Well, I...” Matt struggled to find an appropriate response that wasn’t a lie but didn’t reveal too much. “I enjoy making people happy with food. That’s why I became a chef.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied with this explanation. “This early in the morning?”
“I…” Matt started, but Aria cut him off.
“And you keep looking at the stairs to see if Tessa’s coming back yet.”
Matt hadn’t even realized he was doing that.
