Page 71 of All I Feel

“Well, I know we’ll have Lark on our side. That’s for sure.”

Laughing as I thought about her visit to my place recently, I added, “Yeah, Phoenix, too.”

“My brother?!”

“He knew how I felt about you before you did. And all he asked was that I didn’t pressure you into anything before you’re ready for it. Beyond that, he trusts that I’d never do anything to hurt you, and he’ll be completely supportive.”

Disbelief turned to joy as Tessa beamed at me. “The only other wildcard would be my dad. Everyone else is going to love this for us.”

“I’m not worried about your dad, and I don’t think you should be either.”

“I don’t know, Ace. He wasn’t thrilled when he learned I was dating Ryan.”

Linking my fingers with hers, I said, “Princess, I don’t want to say this and have it come across as disrespectful, because I know he meant something to you at one point, but your dad wasn’t thrilled about your ex because he knew he wasn’t the guy for you.”

“Are you saying you think he’ll believe you are?”

I dipped my chin. “I fully intend to be, so yeah.”

Her eyes rounded. “What?”

“What are you concerned about?”

“You intend to be the guy for me?”

I shot her a dubious look. “Would you rather I just be here to fuck around with you instead? Tessa, I never would’ve allowed us to get this far if I wasn’t absolutely serious about my intentions with you.”

She tucked her chin toward her chest, the corners of her mouth tipping up in a smile. “I’m really glad to hear that, Ace.”

“And I’m glad it’s not freaking you out, so we’re good.”

Before Tessa could respond, our server returned with our appetizers. With each one that was set down on the table, I watched Tessa’s entire expression light up. When we were alone again, she said, “These all look so good. Thank you for not denying me them.”

The last thing I wanted to do was bring up her ex, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking the first thing that came to my mind. “Did your ex tell you not to order what you wanted?”

Her mood immediately shifted. “He thought I was crazyfor wanting to order so many appetizers. And on the very rare occasion I ordered a second one, he always made me feel bad about ordering an entrée.”

I wished I hadn’t refrained from knocking the guy’s lights out when I saw him. “Why would he care what you ordered? It can’t be about the cost.”

Tessa shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. He always seemed embarrassed. Maybe he thought I was going to gain too much weight.”

“Princess, you’re gorgeous, your body is beautiful, and your ex was a dickhead.”

Nodding, she murmured, “I’m learning that. Every moment I spend with you, I’m learning I deserved better.”

I smiled at her and got one in return. Then I said, “Dig in, Tessa. I want you to enjoy every bite of this.”

She didn’t need any additional encouragement. Tessa picked up her fork and dove in. Watching her, I could’ve been completely content. But when she offered me a bite of the crab cake, I found I enjoyed eating out of her hands much more.

NINETEEN

TESSA

“So, it’s official?”

At Lark’s question, I gave her a nod and answered, “Yes, but it’s very new.”

“New? How do you figure that this is new, Tessa?”