Page 109 of Book Club Confidential

Tears streamed over Hallie’s cheeks as she blew past Tessa and Kate, the service window still gaping open.

Tessa shifted into drive and passed Bryce by the fountain.

“Do we wave?” Kate asked.

“No,” Tessa said, and she followed the Vampire Café Truck down the tree-lined driveway, now engulfed in a cloud of exhaust.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Tessa took Kate home that afternoon before making a trip to the market. As the only person who seemed to care about her dad’s health and nutrition these days, she decided it was time for action and a serious heart-to-heart. Hopefully the gift of a few quality food items would double as an example of what he should buy in the future and as an olive branch.

Shopping went quickly, but the checkout lines were long, and Tessa found herself searching the other shoppers for a familiar face or two. She missed her coworkers and clients more than she’d realized.

“Tessa?” A male voice called her name, and she turned eagerly in search of the sound.

Her mood brightened when she spotted Hank Daria in the line beside hers, also waiting to check out. “Hey!” she said. “How are you?”

Hank owned a fast-growing, and currently expanding, comic book and record store downtown. Which was one of the reasons she’d introduced him to Devin.

“I’m doing well,” Hank said. “I’m looking forward to eating dinner at home tonight. I’ve finally got enough help to cover the shift.” He smiled, and the look was contagious.

“That’s fantastic,” she said. “You deserve an evening off. Maybe even two.”

Hank rolled his eyes toward the ceiling and positioned his hands in prayer pose.

She laughed.

“What about you?” he asked, nodding to the basket on her arm.

“I’m going to see my dad and brother tonight. I thought they needed less bachelor food in their lives.”

“Tell them I said hello,” Hank said. “I really hated getting a pass from Devin when a full-time accounting position opened at my shop, but if he ever wants to hang out, tell him to stop by the store.”

Tessa’s smile slipped as she tried to process Hank’s words. “You offered Devin a job?”

He bobbed his head and shrugged. “I was sure the job would be perfect for him, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”

Tessa blinked. Speechless. Devin had turned down Hank’s offer for full-time employment? Why would he do that? He’d hit it off with Hank. She was there. She saw them laughing and chatting like instant friends.

Heat crawled over her chest and up her neck to her face. Their dad had pushed her to introduce Devin to her contacts, and she’d done what he’d asked, even when she didn’t want to. Then Hank had trusted her recommendation and taken a chance on Devin. And Devin said no?

Was he freaking kidding?

“Anyway.” Hank unloaded his cart onto the conveyor and offered a small lift of his hand. “I’m up.” He chuckled and glanced at the cashier before him. “It was nice seeing you again, Tessa. Don’t be a stranger.”

“I won’t,” she promised.

But he might never see her brother again after she was finished with him.

On the drive to her dad’s house, she replayed the conversation with Hank in her mind. When would Devin finally stop making plans to do better and start actually doing better? More importantly, how long was she obligated to keep participating in the cycle of hope, belief, and heartbreak? Because she wanted out. Now.

She could think of only one thing that would make Devin turn down the job with Hank. Her stomach coiled into knots at the thought.

Is he using again? Drinking?

Tessa parked at the curb a few minutes later. She took deep steadying breaths, then wrestled the grocery bags onto the porch and rang the bell. She’d never been so glad to see both Dad’s and Devin’s trucks in the driveway. At least she wouldn’t have to say all the things on her mind twice.

She just hoped she could say what she needed to say without completely losing her composure. Tears or anger would ruin her message. They’d think she was just upset in the moment and would get over it, or maybe that she was being irrational. Or, possibly worse, they’d think she was an awful, hateful person instead of the worried-sick and worn-out human she was.