“This cat, I swear,” Juliet said. “The only one she loves is Tessa.”
As he stopped for a second to let Juliet’s words sink in, the way his gut clenched told him everything. There was only one scholarship. The scholarship that had allowed him to leave this town and experience the world and get a great education and jumpstart his life and his dreams.
That scholarship.
“I’m not saying she did it for you,” Juliet said. “She did it for me. For me and Viv, actually, but especially for me.” Juliet was staring at him like he was clueless. Which, actually, he sort of was. “You really don’t know what happened, do you?” she asked. “You’ll have to ask Tessa. But Leo, if you treat her wrong, or if you let her actually fall in love with you, I swear, I will unleash all of the Montgomery wrath on you like a curse for the rest of your life. You may have everyone else fooled, but not me. And I will come after you if you hurt my sister. Capisce?”
“Capisce,” he said quietly. He had no idea what Juliet knew or didn’t know. But he respected fidelity. And sisterly love.
Of course he didn’t tell her this, but he was excellent at maintaining boundaries. And he would never lead Tessa on. Well, at least he thought he knew his boundaries—until last night, anyway.
But now he’d be sure to make them more secure than ever. Which he could do, because Leo always maintained control. His heart was never in jeopardy.
That didn’t scare him nearly as much as thinking about Tessa throwing that scholarship.
They’d both wanted that scholarship more than anything. They’d both believed anything was possible with hard work and grit. But he’d been the winner. He’d left town and hadn’t looked back.
Yet, judging by how hard she was working on perfecting those desserts, she was still as driven and determined as she’d ever been. So why on earth would she have thrown the thing she’d wanted more than anything?
Chapter Fourteen
“I’m starving,” Gia said as she sat down across from Tessa at the Pancake Express that morning. The cutest breakfast place in town used to be a train station that got moved from a mile down the road, and it was filled with sepia-toned photos and railroad memorabilia like old signs and a road pick and signal lights. “Thanks for inviting me to breakfast.”
“I’m starving, too,” Tessa said. Being outside on a sunny Saturday morning instead of inside the bakery working felt…freeing. Also, the fun outing didn’t allow her to think of the shock of waking up this morning curled against Leo’s warm muscled body…too much. Or those kisses. Those huge-mistake kisses.
Sleeping was unconscious, but she had no excuses for what had happened in the garden. She just knew that it couldn’t—wouldn’t—happen again.
“Is it too early for you?” Tessa asked Gia, who’d showed up with her hair in a ponytail, a Blossom Glen Track T-shirt, and yoga pants. She was fresh-faced and eager, and that made Tessa smile.
“I’ve already run five miles,” Gia said, setting down the menu and rubbing her stomach. “And I’m ready to order.”
It was definitely too early for Tessa, who was ready to mainline coffee after barely sleeping a wink last night. Viv was taking her shift today, but Leo was having his friends over tonight to play cards, and she wanted to surprise him by making them some food. Which was traditionally wife-y, but she just wanted to do it as a nice gesture. So she’d better wake up quick.
The waitress, Dee Williams, was an old friend of Tessa’s mom’s. As soon as Dee lifted her glass coffee carafe in question, Tessa turned over her mug.
“Fill ’er up?” Dee asked, already pouring. “You look like you could use a heaping cup today.”
“Or two,” Tessa said. “How are you, DeeDee?”
“Oh, nothing’s new. But everyone’s talking about you and that hottie Italian Stallion getting hitched. He keeping you up at night? If he is, I have no sympathy for you, girl.”
“Thanks, Dee.” She took a big gulp of coffee and smiled. “For the coffee, not the comments.” Which she’d made in front of Leo’s sister no less. “You know Gia, right?”
Dee waved a hand dismissively. “You’re eighteen, aren’t you, honey? She knows it all. Besides, the coffee costs money but the commentary is free. That includes any advice.” She chuckled at her own joke. “Leo is so much better than that idiot you were dating.” She put her fingers over her mouth. “Oopsie, shouldn’t have said that. But I’m really happy for you.” She gave Tessa a squeeze. “This one’s a keeper!”
“What makes you say that?” Tessa couldn’t help asking.
“Every time he comes in, he tips thirty percent. Plus he’s nice.”
Tessa took another gulp of coffee and dreamt of what it would be like to live somewhere where everyone did not know your business. “Remind me not to leave you a tip.”
“Ha-ha,” Dee said to Tessa. “Coffee for you, sugar?” she asked Gia sweetly.
Gia wrinkled up her nose. “Can you make hot chocolate when it’s hot out?”
“Aren’t you the cutest. Of course we can.”
“That sounds really good,” Tessa said on impulse. “Make that two, please.” Life was too short, right? “So, I’ve seen you running past the bakery some mornings.” Tessa closed her menu as Dee sped off. “You like it?”
Gia nodded as she looked over her own menu. “Sometimes I run with Leo. He runs every day.”
“Is that right?” Oops. “I mean—yeah,” she said, taking a big gulp. “I don’t know how he does that, every single day without fail.” She sped on to disguise her gaffe. “Speaking of exercise, my sisters signed me up for a yoga class. Actually, Vivienne is teaching it, so Juliet and I sort of have to go. Want to come too? It’s tonight at seven in the community center basement. I’m strangely looking forward to it.” It seemed her sisters had made it their mission to get her out of the bakery. And it was an opportunity for the three of them to do something together, so she’d said yes.
“Thanks,” Gia said, “but I have to study tonight. And I promised Leo I’d ride out with him to the farmers market this afternoon. He’s making contacts for his new menu.”
“That sounds like fun.” But—studying on a Saturday night?
“People sell other things there, too, besides vegetables,” Gia said, clearly excited. “Antiques, banana bread, pottery. It’s fun. Plus I get to pick Leo’s brain.”
“About what?”