The simple joke sent a wave of warmth through Matt that had nothing to do with the kitchen heat.
His bear preened at the interaction.See? She has a sense of humor, too. Perfect.
Matt cleared his throat, forcing his focus back to practicalities. “How long is Rachel likely to be off?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’ll know more tonight when the swelling goes down. But a few days. Maybe a week,” Tessa replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The casual gesture drew his eye to the gentle curve of her neck, and he had to force his gaze away. “I told her I’d help as long as she needs me.”
A few days. Maybe more.Matt’s bear rumbled with satisfaction while his human side processed the implications. Days of seeing her, working alongside her, learning her habits and quirks. Days of fighting this overwhelming pull toward her while maintaining professional distance.
“That works for us,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. He cleared his throat again. “We appreciate it.”
Tell her more,his bear urged. Tell her she belongs here.Tell her she’s ours.
Not yet,Matt countered.She just got here. She doesn’t even know what we are.
Then tell her!
Chapter Three – Tessa
Okay, so what’s the plan?Matt’s bear asked.
Just get through the shift without spilling my heart out to Tessa,Matt replied.
And our soul,his bear added.
Oh, goodness,Matt said,this is going to be a long shift.
One he didn’t want to end because once it did end, Tessa would walk out of the restaurant and out of his life.
Temporarily,his bear reminded him.She’ll be back tomorrow. And the next day.
Yeah, but she’s not here forever,Matt said.
She will be if you say the right thing, do the right thing,Matt’s bear said.
No pressure then,Matt replied.
None at all. It’s only the rest of our lives and our eternal happiness we’re talking about here,his bear said lightly, but they both knew how much was resting on them winning their mate over.
Matt forced himself to focus on the plate of pasta in front of him, twirling the fork methodically through the noodles as Alan recounted his daughter’s latest soccer triumph. Normally, he’d be all in, asking questions about the game, celebrating the victory. Alan’s kids were great—smart, funny little humans who always brightened staff picnics with their energy and mischief.
But today, with Tessa sitting just three chairs away, Matt could barely follow the conversation. His thoughts kept drifting to possibilities he’d rarely allowed himself to consider over the last few years.
Little humans of his own.
“She scored the winning goal with only thirty seconds left on the clock,” Alan was saying, his face animated with pride. “You should have seen her, Matt. She’s got a killer instinct on the field for a nine-year-old.”
“That’s amazing,” Matt managed, though his gaze kept sliding toward Tessa.
What would their children look like? Would they have her amber eyes, or his darker ones? Her soft smile or his serious expression?
One thing is for sure,his bear said.They’ll have our shifter genes.
He imagined sitting at this very table years from now, telling his own stories about soccer games and school plays, while Tessa sat beside him, her hand in his.
Can’t wait,his bear said, the longing almost painful in its intensity.
“So, are you going to tell her?”
