Page 12 of All I Feel

Anger bubbled up inside me, my fingers twitching against her wrist. I had no less than a dozen thoughts running through my mind, but none of them were good. I wasn’t quite sure what I could say that wouldn’t send Tessa spiraling. “I’m so sorry.”

Tessa pressed her lips together, her bottom lip trembling as tears filled her eyes again. “I feel like such a fool, Ace. I was so stupid.”

“You aren’t stupid. He’s an idiot, among other things.”

“But I actually believed he might be the one. I thought he loved me. I… I went to the trouble of getting all dolled up tonight for him.”

My eyes swept over her from top to toe and back again. I’d never looked at Tessa as anything more than a lifelongfriend. She was my best friend’s sister. She was my sister’s best friend. We’d known each other all our lives, but there hadn’t ever been anything romantic between us.

Now, as I took in her form, I made a mental note of just how much I liked what was in front of me. She was gorgeous, with her long dark blonde hair and bright blonde highlights, sparkling blue eyes, and full, pouty lips. As for her body, she was fit. Toned. Able to wear anything and make it look good. Just like the dress she was wearing now that molded perfectly to her body like a second skin.

But even as she stood before me, none of what I was seeing was anything new. I reached up and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Tessa, you’ve always been beautiful. I can’t think of a time when you didn’t take the steps to make yourself look nice. That guy isn’t responsible for any of this, because you were a gem long before he entered the picture.”

She offered a small, appreciative smile in return. “Thanks, Ace.”

I returned the smile. “So, can I ask what happened after you learned he was with another woman? Did he admit to it?”

Any hint of happiness that had been present on her expression vanished. “He wasn’t even concerned enough to want to try to fix it tonight. He told me he was going to stop by my place in the morning so we could talk.”

I wanted to ask her if it would matter if he’d shown up tonight. I couldn’t think of what difference it’d make in the grand scheme of things. From where I was standing, that guy didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as her, let alone have the opportunity to hurt her once again.

But perhaps she saw it differently, and I hated that.

Because it killed me to think Tessa would ever settle for less than what she deserved and even consider taking this asshole back.

There were no guarantees it would work—and if she was truly in deep with this guy, there might be little impact it would make—but I was going to make sure he didn’t get the chance to slither back into her life, whatever it took.

“You deserve so much better, Tessa.”

She shrugged, sending another wave of anger crashing over me. “Evidently, Ryan doesn’t think so.”

“I don’t give a shit what he thinks. If he thought it was a good idea to cheat on you, he’s clearly an idiot.”

Tessa swallowed roughly and looked away.

I needed to cool it. Sure, I believed every word coming out of my mouth, but Tessa’s pain was still so fresh. I didn’t need to rub salt in an open wound.

“What would you like to do now? Do you want to get out of here?” I asked.

Shaking her head, she answered, “No. I’d like… If you wouldn’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you’d hang out here with me for just a few more minutes so I can pull myself together. Then we can go back inside. I just don’t want to ruin Harper’s day.”

I wrapped my arm around her back, my hand landing on her opposite shoulder. Giving her a light squeeze, I said, “I’ll stay out here with you as long as you need me.”

Tessa tipped her head toward me as her arm went around my waist. “I appreciate that, Ace.”

For the next few minutes, we didn’t say a word. I was certain Tessa was just too caught up in her thoughts and the hurt inflicted by what had happened tonight to evenknow what to say. When it came to me, I didn’t want to say or do anything to make things worse for her. Whatever she needed right now, I’d give it to her. And if she needed something different tomorrow, I’d give her that, too.

After a while, I said, “I want you to have everything you need right now, Tessa. Would you like me to get Lark?”

Tipping her chin up, her eyes met mine. “My sister deserves to have a great night without all my drama. I love your sister, Ace. She’s my best friend. But when I tell Lark about this, I think you know just as well as anyone that she’s going to lose her mind.”

I chuckled and gave her another squeeze. “I can see your point.”

Following a beat of silence, Tessa said, “I think I’m ready to head back in there.”

“Are you sure? I don’t mind staying here with you if you need more time.”

She smiled appreciatively again. “I’m sure. Thank you for coming out to check on me.”