“Good. I’ll need to go by the house first and feed the felines so they don’t starve.”
“Cat lady duties?” Bree asked with a chuckle.
“Yes. And proud of it. We cat ladies help hold the world together.” If all she was going to have in her personal life were two cats, she was going to make the most of it.
“So why don’t you go home after you’re done here and take care of Thelma and Louise, and then I’ll come by and pick you up?” Before Tess could object, Bree added, “That way neither of us will end up out in the café parking lot alone.”
Tess’s infernal yo-yo emotions were on the ascent, and she told herself they had no right to be. This was a work-based mission, and it would solve her dinner dilemma—she’d hadn’t eaten much today. This was perfectly practical and certain to garner Marnie’s meal approval.
“Okay, I can make that work.” Tess realized they’d never shared addresses and cell numbers, so she pulled out her phone and so did Bree. They exchanged information.
“Is seven o’clock okay?” Bree asked.
“I can make that work,” Tess repeated. She walked to the door before she suggested or agreed to anything else.
Chapter Ten
Bree couldn’t believe her engine light came on as she pulled into her driveway, and in addition to that crisis, Hank called with one of his own. He had an emergency request for Bree to pick Gabby up at school at seven fifteen after a theater club rehearsal. Rachelle was sitting in urgent care with her mother, and he was out of town for work. He’d tried the parents of Gabby’s friends who were also at the rehearsal, but he hadn’t been able to reach any of them.
“Hank, my engine light is on, but I can call a rideshare so that I can go get Gabby.”
He agreed. She quickly hung up and moaned. One thing at a time. She rubbed her temple, then called Tess.
“Now, don’t tell me you’re standing me up already?” Tess said instead of offering Bree a greeting.
Bree’s pleasure at the return of teasing Tess was undercut by having to tell her the reason for her call. She explained the situation. There was a long silence.
“I just fed my two famished felines. I wouldn’t object to adding chivalrous chauffeurto my résumé.” Tess’s delivery was that matter-of-fact one that revealed little, but Bree took encouragement at the humor in her reply. She knew Tess well enough to recognize the woman underneath that facade.
“Yeah. And in case you ever decide to apply for a second job, I’d vouch for the chivalrous since you’re saving the day,” Bree replied. “But you don’t have to do this. I can call a rideshare and go get my niece.”
Tess cleared her throat. “There’s no reason to derail the entire evening. I’ve got your address, so I’ll see you at seven to go collect your niece.”
“Are you sure?”
“Are you suggesting I’m someone who doesn’t mean what she says? We can have that discussion, or I can head to your house so we can collect her on time. What’s her name?”
“It’s Gabby.”
Promptly at seven o’clock, Tess pulled into Bree’s driveway. They headed to the school with an agreement that they’d figure out the rest of their evening after they’d collected Gabby.
“Whoa, Aunt Bree. A red Mercedes—nice wheels.” Gabby cocked her head as she climbed into the back seat and surveyed Tess. “Where’s Mom, not that I’m complaining?”
“She’s at the doctor with your grandma, and your dad’s in Santa Barbara. This is Tess. She’s a judge too.”
Bree looked across the console as Tess concentrated on the road. She had no clue how Tess would respond to Gabby, or to her declaration that she approved of Tess’s car. As she took in Tess’s profile, the tiny lines that chronicled the upward twitch of the corner of Tess’s mouth made Bree’s heart do an extra thump or two.
“Hi, Gabby. I work with your aunt and we had a meeting tonight.”
“My car developed a problem, so Tess agreed to help me pick you up,” Bree quickly added. “You owe her a big thank you.”
“Mega thanks, Tess. And where’s your meeting?”
Neither of them answered for a long moment. Then they simultaneously replied, “Maria’s Café.”
“I’m starving, and I love Maria’s Café. Can I crash your meeting?”
Bree pulled down her visor and looked back at Gabby from its mirror, catching Gabby’s grin. Bree considered how torespond, not sure how Tess would feel about this request. This had certainly morphed from simply professional to something significantly different with Gabby along.
