Page 61 of Tess, Property of Blaze

She looks back at me, and just when she’s about to speak, the sound of the doorbell chimes throughout the house.

“Fuck!” I grunt. “She’s here. I told her to come a little later, but you know Jasmine. You can’t tell her to do shit.”

Tess laughs then. “Now that couldn’t be any more right.”

I hold her close to me again. “You okay with this? With Jasmine coming?”

She nods against my chest. “I have to face the music someday, and it might as well be today.”

Just as I’m about to let her go, she snuggles in and holds me tighter. “Thank you.”

I frown into her hair. “For what?”

“For being here, for looking after me, and for always having my best interests at heart.”

I lean down and press my lips to hers. “You never have to thank me, Tess. I’ll do anything for you.” Again, the doorbell. “You better go answer that. I’m gonna hop in the shower.”

“Okay,” she says, giving me the gift of her smile.

“Good luck,” I say, then take her hand and lead her inside. I let her go when we get close to the front door and make my way to the bathroom. I hope to God that Jasmine will be the answer to my prayers.

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