Page 20 of Book Club Confidential

Hallie presented the customer ahead of Tessa with their order, then turned toward her waiting friend. “There you are.” She stopped and whistled. “Hot date?”

“Yes,” Tessa said. “With the best version of myself.”

“Go on,” Hallie said. She raised a hand above the counter and tapped the pad of one finger to her thumb in silent applause.

Eloise said, “The usual? Iced brown sugar espresso with almond milk and two pumps of vanilla?”

“Yes, please.”

“Who else are we ordering for today?”

Tessa shook her head. “Just me.” Millie and Nina had probably ordered delivery by now, and, assuming the men didn’t cut out to golf, Tessa had no interest in getting coffee for them. As far as she was concerned, they’d taken enough from her already.

Hallie grabbed a cup and marker to write on the side. “How are you feeling?”

“I’d rather swim in the river than face everyone after the giant humiliating slap on the face last night,” Tessa admitted. “But I also refuse to hide out and let folks speculate. Better to show up, appear unbothered, and forge a new beginning.”

Tessa stepped aside to wait for her coffee. Three orders later, Hallie finally called Tessa’s name.

She slid a white paper bag with the café’s logo beside the cup. “I made you a treat to take the edge off. It’s in the bag with a cinnamon sugar roll.”

“Ooo.” Tessa clutched the bag gently to her chest, then opened the top for a peek inside. “I love when you do this. What is it today?”

Hallie grinned. “Treasures from the farmers’ market. I think I perfected my watermelon salad.”

Tessa rubbed the tip of one finger against the corner of her mouth. “Am I drooling?”

“You will be. It has all your favorite things. Feta, cucumbers, mint, red onion, toasted pistachios—”

“Oh. My. God.”

“It’s good,” Hallie promised. “You’ll love it.”

A large familiar man moved into view through the kitchen window and glared at Hallie.

Tessa stiffened.

“Hallie!” Quinn called before Tessa could warn her. “What’d I tell you about wasting time on the clock? Stop making things that aren’t on the menu.”

“Sorry,” Hallie called.

Tessa took a step backward, worried about taking so much of her friend’s time.

“I paid for all the ingredients,” Hallie barked back at him. “It’s my recipe.”

“Great!” Sarcasm dripped from his word. “Try making something on my menu next time. And get back to work!”

Hallie turned on her toes to face Tessa once more, cheeks pink and jaw tight. “My recipes should be on the menu.”

Hopefully Hallie would stand up for herself this month. If not, Tessa might come back and do it for her.

“Thank you,” Tessa said, forcing a pleasant smile and lifting both the bag and her drink.

Main character energy, day one, she thought. Here I come.

Millie rose to her feet when Tessa stepped off the elevator. “Oh my.”

Tessa smiled. “Good morning.”