Her dream had ended rather abruptly at that point, and she’d woken to find herself wet, her nipples taut, her full breasts even heavier and swollen. She had tentatively touched herself – one hand on her breast, tweaking a nipple, and the other between her legs, stimulating her clit. She had been startled at the swiftness and strength of her orgasm, how easily it had happened.
She’d groaned then, burying her face in her pillow, and trying not to feel ashamed. During their infrequent sexual encounters, Peter had never once been able to bring her to climax and had never wanted to give or receive oral sex. That she should dream about Ian Gregson going down on her was probably telling in some way, but Tessa didn’t have a clue as to why. Sex was something she continued to be rather naïve about and definitely inexperienced, despite the fact that she and Peter had been together for a long time.
Tessa found the quaint little bakery/café easily and saw right away why Julia’s boyfriend might not care for it. The outside awning was pink and the ruffled curtains at every window a floral print. Julia was just arriving, too, and Tessa marveled at how fluidly she could walk in her towering pale pink stilettos. She looked amazing in a form fitting sheath dress of gray lace, and drew admiring stares from every man she passed.
Julia’s smile lit up her gorgeous face when she spied Tessa, and she gave her hand a little squeeze. “I’m so glad you were able to come. I’ve been wanting to have lunch with you for ages but work has been so crazy all summer. Let’s go inside, shall we?”
The café was cozy and charming, with small tables draped in pink floral cloths, each with a vase of pastel flowers as a centerpiece, and attractively set with white dishes and gleaming flatware. It wasn’t in the least bit stuffy or pretentious, and Tessa felt a sense of relief. She seldom went out to lunch with her co-workers except on special occasions like someone’s birthday, and the others all seemed to favor trendy, upscale restaurants where the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as relaxed and comfortable as this place.
Tessa continued to glance around the small interior as they were seated before smiling at Julia gratefully. “This is so lovely. It feels like someone’s home instead of a restaurant.”
Julie nodded enthusiastically. “It does, right? I thought the same thing the first time I ate here. But Nathan thinks it’s too girly, reminds him of his grandmother’s house.”
Tessa laughed softly. “I must say I can’t see him being comfortable here with so much pink and lace. Even the menu is printed in fancy pink script.”
She didn’t add that she had no real idea of what a grandmother’s house might look like, since she’d never known either of her grandmothers. Or her father, for that matter. It had always been just Tessa and her mother, until there had only been Tessa.
Forcing herself to stop thinking about sad things and enjoy this rare opportunity to actually get out and do something fun, she studied the menu carefully. Fortunately, the café specialized in comfort food, nothing too fancy or exotic.
“Everything is delicious here,” Julia offered helpfully. “Sandwiches, quiche, crepes. You can’t go wrong no matter what you order.”
Tessa grinned at the enthusiasm in her companion’s voice. “Sounds like you eat here a lot.”
“Quite a bit. My boss Travis loves it, too, and especially his partner Anton. They don’t mind all the girly touches.”
Tessa ordered the chicken salad croissant and Julia the smoked salmon quiche, along with a tall glass of sparkling French lemonade for both of them. They ate hungrily, and Tessa reflected on how many meals she’d been skipping lately. Her sadness and depression over Peter had contributed to most of that, but she’d also had to trim her already lean budget even further. She’d lost a few pounds as a result.
“I’m sorry if I said something to upset you earlier today,” Julia told her quietly as they waited for their dessert to be served. “Maybe it was my imagination but you looked like you were going to collapse when I made that comment about being married. Is – is everything all right?”
Tessa nervously twisted the pale pink linen napkin between her fingers. “Um, it’s – not something I -”
Julia placed a hand on her forearm. “God, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to butt in. I was just worried about you, that’s all.”
Tears welled up in Tessa’s eyes, touched at Julia’s kindness. “No, it’s okay. It’s just – hard for me to talk about, you know? I haven’t told anyone else – there really isn’t anyone else to talk to.” She bit her bottom lip to keep it from trembling. “My husband – we’re getting a divorce. We, um – broke up about a month ago.”