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“And now?”
“I realized that even though you two weren’t a real couple,” she uses air quotes when she says, ‘real couple,’ “you were falling for each other. And what started off as me seeing how far I could push you two to your limits, turned into me rooting for you to make it. Like a damn romantic comedy.”
Tess scoots toward the corner of the couch and leans to grab my hand in hers.
“My brother has never brought a girl to meet my parents. Ever. Until you.”
“He had to.”
“No,” she shakes her head. “That’s just the thing. He didn’t have to, he wanted to. My brother is in love with you, and I’ve never seen him more upset than he is right now.”
“He told you he was in love with me?” My heart skips a beat.
She shakes her head. “He doesn’t have to. I know my brother and I have never seen him look at someone the way he looks at you. Honestly, I should be grossed out because he’s my brother, but damn it, as much as he irritates me, I want to see him happy. And he’s happy with you, Cate.”
Hellfire and broomsticks. I feel the tears coming and lean my head back as if gravity will keep them at bay.
“And I know you love him too.” Tess presses on, like a general mustering her troops. “So, why are you giving him up?”
“Tess,” a tear slips down my cheek when I look at her. “I think it might be too late for us. I left him when he asked me to stay. I’m the one who was scared, and I said some things that I shouldn’t have. This is all my fault.”
“Where is your fire? Your passion?” Tess leaps to her feet, staring down at me. “I saw how fiercely you fought so you wouldn’t have to dance the hula in a coconut bra and grass skirt,” she points a finger down at me. “We will discuss your punishment for abandoning us girls to our dancing fate later. The point is you fought with every fiber in your being to win. Why are you willing to let my brother go so easily when you know he’s your lobster?”
I nearly snap my neck to look up at her. “Is that aFriendsreference?”
“You think I don’t see what you and your roommates were going for in here?” She motions around the room. “Of course, I knowFriends. I have an unsettling amount of random trivia knowledge packed away up here,” she taps the side of her head.
I stand up, “Where is he now?”
Tess smiles and claps her hands together. “He’ll be at the new restaurant he’s opening next month.”
“Where is it?”
“Get dressed.” She shakes her car keys in my face. “I’ll drive you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tess is a terrible driver. My fingers are gripping on to anything I can secure my hands to in order to give myself the illusion of being safe. I try to close my eyes, but that only makes me nauseous. Or maybe I’m nauseous because I’m about to walk into Theo’s restaurant and what? Beg him to forgive me? Pretend I was just having a bad day and didn’t mean to shatter his heart? To tell him I love him only to find out Tess set me up for a big laugh at my expense.
I flash her a dirty look and she happens to turn my way and leans away from me.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Tess asks, her nose crinkles.
“You’re not setting me up, right?”
She scoffs. “What are you talking about? Would you like me to sign something in blood stating I’m not trying to ruin your life? I mean really, Cate. You think you know someone.” She shakes her head, hands glued to the wheel, although she seems to be heavier footed now than before.
“I’m sorry,” I grit my teeth as she takes a turn too sharply for my liking. “I guess I’m nervous.”
“That’s normal.”
“What is?”
“Being nervous when you’re about to confess you love someone for the first time.” Tess flashes a warm smile my direction, but it does nothing for me.
“Do you think we could slow down just a bit?” I suck in a breath as she skids to a stop when the traffic light turns red. “I can’t tell your brother I love him if I’m dead.”
“Cate, relax.” Tess pats my arm. I think she is trying to reassure me, but I’m the furthest thing from relaxed. “We’re almost there.”
