“You said Georgia is an actress?” I ask as casually as I can.
The way Tenny’s face lights up makes my heart pinch. This man is so utterly wholesome.
Or…at least, heappearsto be.
“Yes. She performs at The Foundry Stage in Charleston.”
Mags’s brow crinkles. “I thought she was a banker.”
Tenny laughs, and it’s like slipping into a warm bubble bath.
“She’s both. Community theater doesn’t really pay the bills and…” He pauses, meeting my gaze. “We didn’t have a lot growing up. Georgia and I both worked as kids to help my mom out with the finances. Because of that, we tend to hold on to practical jobs. During college, I worked as a custodian in the off-season. I’d clean all the labs in the science building before class and lecture halls on weekends.”
My ribs feel folded inside out, hearing about his past. I have the sudden urge to hold Tenny’s hand.
Instead, my snarky mouth quips, “It’s odd that you used to clean professionally, yet your house is such a mess.”
The look Tenny gives me is like pure sunshine. He’s almost relieved—overjoyed, even—that I’m notpitying him after what he shared. Though, I’m not sure why anyone would. There’s no shame in an honest job done well.
“I never did figure out how to take work home with me,” he says through a chuckle. “Georgia started as a bank teller right after high school. She’s worked her way up to personal banker, but her real passion is the stage.”
“And your younger sister?” Mags asks.
“You mean the sheltered stinker who lounges around my oceanfront home, taking videos all day?” The affection in his eyes when he talks about Arizona is the sweetest thing. “She’s working on a marketing degree. She says that, by the time she graduates, she’ll finally get me somerealnotoriety.”
Mags laughs, mouth so wide her fillings glint in the comforting lamplight. “Your parents must be so proud of all of you.”
The innocent comment breaks the spell. I’ve seen Tenny comment about his mother in passing in other interviews, but he’s never once mentioned his father.
Tenny glances at his empty plate a beat before standing. “Let me get you ladies some more water. It’s so dry here. I’m always thirsty.”
I rub at my arms, suddenly chilly. I’ve never noticed how much Tenny’s natural joy makes me feel cozy and safe. When he shuts down like that, it’s like getting caught in a hailstorm.
“Did I say the wrong thing?” Mags whispers, leaning close.
My eyes trace the hunch of Tenny’s shoulders as he braces his hands against the edge of the sink, waiting for the water pitcherto refill. I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the impulse to run my palm over the defeated curve of his spine and pull him into a hug. The man with endless energy suddenly looks seconds from collapsing.
“No. I’m sure he’s just tired after a long day.” I stand, stacking all the plates. “Why don’t we get going?”
My grandmother nods, accepting my help up before collecting used silverware. The metal tinks softly against the rings crowding her knobby fingers.
Just like earlier, Tenny jumps into action. “You don’t have to do that.”
He steals the plates from my arms before snatching the silverware. After quickly setting both beside the still-flowing sink, he spins. “You two should relax and—”
Tenny’s words halt in his throat when I slip my arms around his neck. The shocked look on his face should make me laugh, but I’m too focused on quelling the anxious energy vibrating off him. It feels too reactionary, like he’s trying to cover up something far more important.
“You cooked. Let me clean. It’s only fair.”
When I slide my fingers into his hair, Tenny bows forward helplessly, his hands bracing my lower back. His forehead hovers a millimeter above mine, his thick lashes fluttering closed, as something enigmatic weaves through my chest.
“Okay.” He takes a deep breath before lifting his face. “I need to check on your car anyway.”
Shoot. I’d forgotten about that.
“It can wait until tomorrow, and we’ll take an Uber back to the hotel.” Unconsciously, my thumb shifts forward to gently brush the corner of his jaw. “You look exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
