Splendor(19)

Her bottom lip trembled. “I know I’ve held you back. I know the only reason you stayed with me so long was because I was too helpless to take care of myself.”

“That’s bullshit, Tess. We’ve gone over this too many times to count. You are not helpless or incompetent or dumb. Or any of the other unflattering terms you always insult yourself with. You’re smart and capable and you amaze me every day with how much you’ve grown.”

She raised huge eyes to him. “I’m scared, Peter,” she confessed in a trembly voice. “Scared of being alone. And terrified that I’m going to be like her.”

“You aren’t. You won’t. You’re nothing like your mother, Tessa, nothing,” Peter assured her fiercely. “You’re so much stronger than you’re even aware of. And I know how hard this is but you’re going to be okay. If I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t be leaving.”

“Will you hold me?”

He took her into his arms, rocking her gently as though she were a small child. “Of course I will.”

“I knew something bad was going to happen today. I felt it the minute I woke up. God, I hate Wednesdays,” she said bitterly.

“Shh. It’s just a silly coincidence, nothing more. Now, we should both get some rest. My flight leaves pretty early in the morning.”

Tessa wasn’t certain she could sleep, given how upset she was, but as she snuggled close against Peter she did manage to fall into a somewhat restless slumber, hoping against hope that she would wake to find all of this was just a bad dream.

But when her alarm went off the next morning, she was once again alone in the bed, as she was so often these days. And this time, Peter wouldn’t be back.





Chapter Four

October

“How are you, Tessa? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you here.”

Tessa had been tidying up the refreshment table in the large conference room but glanced up at the soft, melodious voice of Julia McKinnon. Though smiles didn’t come easily to Tessa these days, she couldn’t help but return the interior designer’s friendly greeting.

“I’m well, thank you. I’d ask how you’re doing but I think that’s fairly obvious,” Tessa replied in a lightly teasing tone.

Julia’s smile deepened into a grin. “And here I thought Nathan and I were being discreet. I guess I just can’t help the way I look at him.”

“You’re in love. I don’t blame you for being happy. And Mr. Atwood is obviously just as crazy about you,” Tess told her warmly.

Nathan Atwood was the co-owner of the architectural design firm that was currently creating the newest Gregson resort – this one in the Napa Valley wine country. Julia was the interior designer assigned to the project, and it had been rather obvious to Tessa the first time she’d met the gorgeous Julia that Mr. Atwood was extremely taken with her. They had been a couple for a few months now, and both of them positively glowed with happiness. And though they were discreet and professional, Tessa couldn’t help but notice all the ways they found to touch each other – fleeting little touches, affectionately given, almost imperceptible. Tessa had found herself envying them the easy, natural affection they shared, something she and Peter had never come close to having.

Julia seemed inordinately pleased at Tessa’s comment. “Well, it took him long enough to admit it, but now that he has it’s awesome. It’s – well, you know how it is – you’re a married woman, after all.”

Tessa knew her facial expression must have been a dead giveaway, because Julia instantly clutched her arm in concern.

“Are you all right?” she asked worriedly. “My God, you look like you’re going to faint, Tessa.”

Tessa closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before shaking her head. “I’m – okay, yes. Thanks for asking. I’d, um – better finish cleaning up here, though. I need to get back to my desk soon.”

But Julia wasn’t so easily dissuaded. “I’m so sorry if I said anything to upset you. Look, do you want to talk about it? Why don’t we have lunch together? What time do you normally take your break?”

“Um, at one o’clock. But I – that is, I always bring my lunch every day. I don’t think –” stammered Tessa. It would be too humiliating to confess that she couldn’t afford to eat lunch out. Now that she was completely on her own, money was tighter than ever.

Julia seemed to sense her dilemma and laid a small, gentle hand on Tessa’s forearm. “My treat. There’s a cute little café about a block from here that I love. Nathan thinks it’s too fussy and never wants to eat there with me. But they have really yummy desserts so you’d be doing me a huge favor if you’d go with me.”