Matt tilted her chin up with gentle fingers, meeting her eyes with an intensity that stole her breath. “Don’t be,” he said simply.
A smile tugged at her lips, even as anxiety fluttered in her stomach. “I don’t want to mess things up for Rachel by dating her boss.”
“So you will go out with me?” Matt asked, his expression brightening.
Tessa shook her head slightly, flustered. “I didn’t mean…”
“I did,” he interrupted, a grin spreading across his face that made her heart skip. “Have dinner with me. Tonight.”
“Yes,” she nodded, the word feeling like a first step on a new path.
Matt’s smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made her want to capture the expression in her sketchbook. He reached for her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers as he turned back toward the view.
“I know a great little place,” he said. “Small, intimate. The chef’s pretty good.”
Tessa laughed, the sound light. Free. “Sounds perfect.”
“It will be.”
Chapter Fourteen – Matt
She’s coming to dinner.Matt could hardly believe it as he dropped Tessa back at Rachel’s house.
Tonight is the night!his bear said.
So, I’d better get cooking!Matt headed back to the restaurant, mentally sifting through his favorite recipes. He desperately wanted to impress Tessa with his cooking, but he knew better than to attempt something new under such stressful circumstances. That was a sure way to end up with a kitchen culinary disaster.
And we do not want any of those,his bear said.
I don’t plan on any disasters at all,Matt assured his bear.
No, he wanted tonight to go smoothly. He wanted to impress her with wonderful food and his scintillating company.
His bear chuckled.You’ll do fine with the food. As for the scintillating company…
Thanks,Matt replied as he parked the truck and got out. But instead of going back inside the restaurant, he headed for the larger apartment his parents lived in around the back of the building.
Althoughapartmentdid not do justice to the residence, which was spacious and elegant, with its own entrance separate from the restaurant. Matt followed the stone path that wound through a garden reminiscent of the restaurant’s courtyard, but more expansive and personal. His mother’s touch was evident everywhere—the same herbs grew in neat, fragrant clusters, but here they were joined by climbing roses in various shades of pink and white, their sweet perfume mingling with the more savoryscents of rosemary and thyme. Delicate lavender swayed in the light breeze, and bright patches of wildflowers added splashes of color among the greenery.
Before Matt could reach the door, it swung open. His mother stood framed in the doorway, her silver-streaked dark hair pulled back in a loose knot, her eyes searching his face.
“So, how did it go?” Eleanor asked, not even bothering with a greeting.
Matt paused, a smile tugging at his lips. “Which part?”
She beckoned him inside with an impatient wave of her hand. “All of it. Tell me everything.”
Matt stepped inside and inhaled the aroma of his father’s lasagna. “Smells good.”
“Come on through.” His mom led him to the kitchen, where he was surprised to find not just his father there, but also Caleb and Hannah sitting at the breakfast counter. They must have just returned from their trip to pack up the last of Hannah’s belongings from her old apartment.
“Look who’s here,” his father called out as he poured Matt a glass of wine. “You look like you need a drink.”
“Hey. I’m not going to say no to a small glass,” Matt said, suddenly self-conscious of all eyes on him. “How was the trip? Get everything packed up?”
Caleb and Hannah exchanged a look that Matt recognized all too well—the silent communication of mates who could almost read each other’s thoughts without words. The sight made his chest tighten with both happiness for his brother and a renewed ache of longing.
“Never mind about us,” Caleb said, waving off Matt’s question. “Mom says you found your mate. Tell us everything.”
