Page 34 of Stuffed

“Your father said the same thing at your age.” She smiles, glancing over at my dad who winks at her.

“You did?” I ask him.

“Oh yeah,” he says, reaching out to take my mom’s hand and twirl her around the kitchen, “but then I met this little lady and that all went out the window.”

“Gross,” I mutter, my dad nuzzling his nose against my mom’s neck, making her giggle.

“Trust me, son,” he says, looking at my mom like she’s a brand-new Corvette. “Someday you’re going to meet a woman and you’re going to trip and stumble all over yourself trying not to screw it up but she won’t let you. She’ll be there with you every step of the way and you’ll realize that everything you’ve been fighting is exactly what you wanted; you just didn’t realize it.”

“And that’s a good thing?” I scratch my head in confusion, not fully understanding what it is my dad is saying.

“Of course it is. Because some loves don't just change us, Zane. They complete us. They make us whole in ways we never knew we needed.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter. The city skyline comes into view as I make my way back downtown, my dad’s words echoing through my head from years ago making me question everything I thought I wanted.

I swipe my thumb across my screen to read the text from Tessa.

Tessa

Still thinking about possibilities…

I stare at the message, thumb hovering over the keys. Finally, I type.

Me

Dangerous territory, Miss Marlow.

Her response is immediate.

Tessa

You keep saying that like it's a bad thing. Maybe dangerous is exactly what you need.

Before I can respond, another message comes through.

Tessa

I'm at June’s Coffee Corner on Michigan Ave. The one with the view of the lake across from the LEGO store. Join me?

I should say no. Should maintain professional distance. There’s that word again… should.

Me

Fifteen minutes.

The drive gives me time to question my sanity, but not enough time to change my mind. When I walk into the coffee shop, she's by the window, wearing a cream sweater that makes her skin glow. Those damn glasses are perched on her nose as she reads something on her laptop.

"Working on a Saturday?" I ask, sliding into the seat across from her.

She looks up, smiling. "Just reviewing some vendor contracts. Want to check my math?"

"Careful," I warn, but I'm fighting a smile. "That's how we got into trouble last time."

"Trouble?" She raises an eyebrow. "Is that what you call it?"

"With you? Yes."

"Relax." She closes her laptop. "I didn't ask you here to seduce you with spreadsheets. Though I could if you want…"

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