Hannah turned to Caleb, eyebrows raised. “Did you think you might puke when you told me?”
“No, of course not,” Caleb replied with exaggerated confidence. “I knew it would be fine. How could you resist me?”
Hannah punched his arm lightly, rolling her eyes even as affection softened her features. “You were terrified, and we both know it.”
Matt watched them, the easy banter, the casual touches, the way they seemed to orbit each other even in the simple act of sitting side by side. His heart ached with longing.
Soon,he whispered to his bear.Soon that could be Tessa and us. All I have to do is tell her the truth.
Which will only happen if you tell her… and don’t puke,his bear reminded him.
I’m not going to puke,he assured his bear. Although nerves were already building inside him. But they would fade once he got cooking. It was what he loved about being in the kitchen, preparing dishes; it soothed him. The rhythm of it. Chopping, sifting, stirring.
“I should go,” Matt said, standing up. “I’ve got a lot to prepare.”
His mom rose with him, pulling him into a tight hug that smelled of garlic and basil. “It’ll all be fine,” she whispered. “You’ll see.”
Matt hugged her back, allowing himself to draw strength from her certainty. “I hope so.”
Eleanor stepped back, her hands still on his arms as she studied his face. “Now, focus on this evening. Forget about therestaurant… your father and I have it covered. And be sure to call and let me know what happens.”
“I will,” Matt promised, touched by their support.
“You’ve got this,” Caleb assured him.
“Good luck,” Hannah called.
“Have fun,” his father added.
But nothing about this felt fun right now.
But once it’s over, once you’ve told her,his bear said.Then the fun begins.
Chapter Fifteen – Tessa
“Dinner, huh?” Rachel asked as she hobbled into the guest room where Tessa was trying to pick out a suitable outfit from the few clothes she’d brought with her.
“Should I wear this again?” Tessa turned to face her friend with the blue sundress held up in front of her, perhaps in an attempt to deflect the awkward questions that were coming her way.
“I don’t think it matters what you wear?” Rachel teased, keeping her voice low so that the girls didn’t hear.
“It’s not like that,” Tessa insisted as she looked down at the dress, trying to hide her blushes.
“Isn’t it?” Rachel asked as she sat down on the bed and rubbed her ankle.
“How’s it feeling?” Tessa asked. “I hope you haven’t overdone it today.”
“No, I’ve been resting it.” She looked up at Tessa. “But if you are looking for an excuse to keep working at the restaurant, I can tell you it’s still hurting.”
“No,” Tessa replied quickly and hung the dress up on the closet door before sitting next to Rachel. “Although I don’t want you to rush back to work if your ankle isn’t healed.”
“I don’t have a shift tomorrow, and it’ll be fine by the day after,” Rachel assured her.
“You mean I’ve worked my last shift?” Tessa hadn’t expected that, and she was surprised at the sudden rush of disappointment.
“I think so. It means you can do what you came here to do,” Rachel said.
“Work on my art,” Tessa murmured.
