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Only a couple people remain standing in the ballroom. Everyone else has already taken their seats. Hammond Publishing has a table front and center since Don’s up for the prestigious book of the year award. We make our way through the room and find our place. Don turns in his chair. He looks at Tessa, then me with a sly smile, and gets up to take her hand.
“My dear. You look lovely. Doesn’t she, Barclay?” Don eyes me with a knowing air. The old man’s baiting me, and I don’t like it one damn bit. He brings her hand to his lips and kisses her knuckles.
The same rush I had when I saw Tessa at the bar with my cousin races up my back and elicits a primal urge. I want to pull her away from him, but I steel myself against it. This caveman reaction is something totally foreign to me. I never felt it before meeting her. I take a few deep breaths, trying to get my shit together.
“Hello, Mr. Black,” Tessa replies after Don finally drops her hand. I squint one eye at him, and he smiles back at me in amusement. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Good evening, Don. Enjoying yourself so far?” I ask in a more pointed tone than I should. I know he’s all talk and has never strayed from his vows, but still, I want her as mine alone. I wonder what it is about Tessa that makes me feel this way. I’ll need to examine these feelings later.
“I am, and will be having an even better one now that Tessa has arrived.” Don pulls out the chair seated next to him, and motions toward Tessa. “You’re sitting next to me, as I requested.”
We settle into our seats, and I introduce Tessa to everyone at the table. I start with my sister, Victoria, and her husband, Danton. She’s attending for my mother, who’s on the board, but wanted to give the spotlight to her daughter. She hopes Victoria will step into her role soon, leaving her to care for my father as he travels down a dark road with Alzheimer’s.
Dinner is served and drinks are refilled. Polite conversation buzzes around the table, and I don’t miss the curious stares from my sister and her husband—all aimed at me. Don lays down his claim for Tessa’s attention, and monopolizes her with conversation about the current book he’s writing. She claims to be his biggest fan, and will make the perfect audience for his big ego. But a happy Don keeps Hammond’s bottom line healthy, even if I grind my teeth while trying to ignore how close he’s moved toward her.
“I must commend you on your date. I like her,” my sister says, pulling me away from Don and Tessa’s conversation. “Tessa’s gorgeous and smart, and definitely younger than I’d expect. I’m guessing southern from her accent.”
“Yes, Alabama.”
“No kidding,” Victoria laughs. “Oh, how I wish Mother were here to see you with her. Tessa’s the young woman you were eyeing the other night at the Hammond, isn’t she?”
“She is.” I leave my answer short on purpose. I do hope my mother meets Tessa someday, but I don’t want my sister pestering me about it. She has a way of pushing me before I’m ready.
“She’s gotten to you, Barclay. In a good way.” My sister glances over at Tessa, who’s still engrossed in conversation with Don. “In fact, everyone seems captivated by her.”
“Seriously, I just met her.”
“Doesn’t matter. Something tells me this woman is different, apart from her age and background. I can see it in your eyes. The way you look at her.”
“And how’s that exactly?” I ask, wondering if I’m ready for my sister’s answer.
“In awe.”
I don’t have a direct response, or one I’m ready to say out loud, but I can’t deny feeling differently about Tessa too. I was curious to know who she was the moment my eyes landed on her at the restaurant. I wondered if she was waiting for someone else or eating alone. Mostly, I wanted to claw back ten years and be a different, younger version of me.
Then, she appeared in my office the next day wrapped in Mrs. Mackenzie’s coat. She’s a temptation I can’t seem to resist, even if I still hear her brother telling me to watch out for his sister. It’s futile to try to silence his words and my agreement. Instead, I’ll treat her like a fucking goddess. Tessa turns my way and gives me a slow, sexy smile. It makes me ache for her. When she ends it with a lip bite, I’m convinced she can live with my decision too.
29
Tessa
The dinner ends with Don winning book of the year, but no one seems shocked, especially those sitting with me at Hammond’s table. As we prepare to leave, Don gives me a big, both-arms-around-me hug and uses the closeness to whisper in my ear.
