"Well, that's most important," I tease, kissing the side of her head. I walk to the fridge and pull out a water. "Get anything else at the mall?"
Ruthie's eyes dart to Tess's, who offers her a reassuring smile. "Not today," Tessa says, looking at me. My forehead creases, and she gives me a look that saysI'll explain later.
I tip my chin up, my gaze falling to my daughter who is back to dragging a black colored pencil over the faint outline of Sammy's tongue. Slowly untwisting the bottle of water in my hand, I take a large, yet hesitant, gulp.
"Sorry I couldn't make it to your game, Dad. We caught the last few innings though, after practice. That hit in the eighth was awesome."
I swallow and wink. "Yeah? You like that?"
She nods, still coloring. "I was trying to explain to Tess how you turned on that inside pitch, but she didn't really get it."
"Hey," Tessa chimes in. "I'm learning. I now know when the ump makes a fist in the air that it's a strike."
Ruthie giggles. "That's true."
I watch the exchange between them and instantly feel pulled in two directions—one brimming with hope and the quiet thrill that maybe this will work out after all. The other, heavier, more disappointing. The one whispering that nothing good lasts anymore.
"Ruthie, why don't you head upstairs and start getting ready for bed. I'll be up there in a minute."
"Aw, can't I just finish this first?" She looks at me, an exaggerated expression on the same face I'm positive was blowing raspberries at me from her highchair last week.
"It's late, Roo. You can finish it tomorrow."
She groans and snaps her drawing pad shut—the dramatic, yet amusing, exit I've come to expect. "Fine. Come on, Sammy."
At the sound of his name, the dog springs to life like he wasn't just snoring on the kitchen floor. "Night, Tess."
Tessa smiles shyly. "I'll see you tomorrow. I had fun today."
Ruthie grins and bounds toward the stairs, her furry best friend at her ankles. Tess and I both seem to wait until she's gone to move or speak or do much of anything besides stare in the direction of the steps. When the water begins running from Ruthie's bathroom, we both break the silence.
"I better get home."
"Did you eat?"
Tess pauses before standing and waving me away. "Oh, no. That's okay. I'll make something when I get home."
"Are you sure?" I ask, though I’m not quite sure why. "There are leftovers from last night." She freezes as she reaches for her purse on the counter. "Salmon, remember?" I ask, slightly raising one brow and bringing up our literal run-in from yesterday.
"Oh, uh, right." She huffs out a laugh and throws her braid behind her. "Of course. God, I'm sure it was better than the burnt grilled cheese I had." Her eyes snap to mine as if she didn't mean to say that aloud.
"Is that a Trevor special?" I ask, instantly regretting my tone.
"It's usually better," she offers, defending him. I narrow my eyes, stopping the response that wants to pour out by bringing my drink to my mouth. "So, how was your date?"
I hold the sip of water I just took in between my lips, now processing both her excuse and her question before swallowing. "My date?" I ask, testing her and taking full advantage of the situation. "Oh, yeah. She loved it. In fact, it's her favorite meal."
"Is it?" she asks with phony intrigue, her voice an octave higher than normal.
"Sure is. That's why I made it."
Her cheeks turn pink, and I find myself hoping it's from envy rather than awkwardness.
"Well then." She smiles, her eyes almost too big for her face. My gaze snags on the way her chest heaves in big waves as she adjusts her stance once, twice, three times until she's back in her starting position. "She's a lucky lady. Maybe I'll get to meet her someday."
"Oh, you already have."
Tess's face falls flat as she presumably racks her brain for who may have been at my house for dinner. I should feel bad for messing with her, especially after what I put her through daily with my undulating mood. But I don't. In fact, stirring her up is the most fun I've had outside of hanging with Ruthie in these past few weeks—and the most fun I've had with a woman in as long as I can remember.
