His bear chuckled.Caught red-handed.
“Do you think Tessa is pretty?”
“Pretty?” Matt felt his face grow warm. These kids were relentless. “I, uh…”
“Is her hair pretty? Do you like her eyes? Mom says people in love look at each other’s eyes a lot,” Lucy continued, tilting her head to study him.
Matt set the last plate in the dish drainer, buying himself a moment. “Tessa is...” How could he possibly answer this without revealing too much? “She’s very talented with her art.”
Aria rolled her eyes dramatically. “That’s not what we asked.”
“Do you want to marry her?” Lucy asked, her small face completely serious. “Because if you do, you could all live here, and then you could make pain au chocolat every morning.”
“And fairy houses,” Aria added helpfully. “You’re good at fairy houses.”
Matt’s bear was practically howling with laughter inside him.They’ve got us figured out completely.
“Girls!” Rachel appeared in the doorway, leaning on her cane. “Stop torturing my boss.”
“We’re not torturing,” Aria protested. “We’re just asking important questions.”
“About fairy houses,” Matt added weakly.
Rachel gave him a sympathetic smile. “Come on, girls. Time for school. Say goodbye to Matt and Tessa.”
“But we’re not done asking questions,” Lucy protested, her small face set in determination.
“Does Tessa make your heart go all fluttery?” Aria asked, pressing her hands to her chest dramatically. “Because Mom says...”
“That’s enough,” Rachel said firmly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “School. Now.”
“Fine,” Aria sighed, slinging her backpack over one shoulder. “But we’re not done investigating.”
“Definitely not done,” Lucy agreed solemnly. She turned to Matt, lowering her voice to what she clearly thought was a whisper, but was actually perfectly audible. “Don’t worry. I’ll put in a good word for you with Tessa.”
Matt struggled to maintain his composure. “Thanks, Lucy. I appreciate that.”
The girls finally allowed themselves to be herded toward the front door, both turning back to wave at Matt before disappearing outside. He exhaled slowly, feeling as though he’d just survived an unexpectedly intense interrogation.
Rachel lingered in the doorway, studying him with a knowing expression that reminded him unnervingly of her daughters. “So...” she said, her voice casual but her eyes sharp. “Is it a date?”
The question hung in the air between them, direct and unavoidable. Matt’s bear perked up immediately, urging him to claim it proudly.Yes, it’s a date with our mate!
Matt felt a smile spread across his face, one he couldn’t have contained if he’d tried. “I hope so.”
“So do I,” Rachel said, then left him.
Speechless.
Chapter Eleven – Tessa
“Bye!” Tessa waved as Rachel shepherded the girls out the door.
“Bye,” the girls chorused and then erupted into fits of giggles as they left the house.
“Did I miss something?” Tessa asked Rachel.
“No, you didn’t miss anything at all,” Rachel said, a mischievous expression on her face. “He’s waiting in the kitchen.”
