Page 58 of Tessa's Trust

“No, I wouldn’t,” I said honestly. I wanted to earn every bit of success I found in this life.

“Tessa, you’ve worked there since you were fourteen years old. Don’t you think you’ve earned half of it already? Come on. You were the one who got me to update all the decor. You’ve changed the menu. You pretty much own half the place now.” He looked away and then back. “And you should probably know I’ve left it to you in my will.”

I gulped, my body chilling. Will? Mert could never die. “You did what?”

“Yeah, I left it to you in my will. I left you everything.” His eyebrows rose. “I mean, don’t go killing me or anything.”

I snorted. He had the worst sense of humor sometimes. “You’re not funny.”

“I think I am. I think I’m hilarious,” he said. “But I know it would just piss you off if I died and you found out you owned everything. So, how about I tell you now, and then you keep working for it? Then we’re both happy.”

The truth hit me then. This offer wasn’t just about the restaurant, and it wasn’t only about the future. Mert didn’t want me to go. I’d worked for him since he gave me a job as a scrawny fourteen-year-old when I’d needed my cousin to drive me over the pass just to work there. But the tips were better than they were in Silverville, so I had made it work. Heck, he’d practically helped raise me along with the rest of my family. “I don’t want to leave you either,” I said softly.

“Oh, knock it off,” he grumbled. “Don’t get all emotional on me. Why do you do that?”

“I can’t help it.” Tears filled my eyes. Sometimes, his sweet side caught me by surprise. “I don’t want to leave you. I never did. I just wanted my own restaurant.”

He took a deep breath as if thrilled he could do so again. “I’m proud of you, Contessa Albertini. It would be a great honor to partner with you in a business venture.”

A couple of tears slid down my face.

He groaned. “When we draw up the contract, there will be a no-crying clause. Period.”

I sniffed. “Sometimes, crying is good for the soul.”

“Sweetheart, my soul has been in your hands since you walked in my door. I know you pray for me.”

Of course, I did. “I’m sorry I left you to build my own restaurant.”

“It was a necessary step, and one I’d always hoped you would take. I’m sorry I can’t give you longer to just work on Sadie’s. But you’re a hard worker, and you can handle it. So now you own two restaurants,” he said. “We’re going to have to figure out a way to make it work. Deal?” He held out his hand this time.

I thought about it. It was a lot to take on and much more than I had anticipated. That wasn’t counting the court fight I might have ahead of me. But Mert was family, and family always came first. “It’s a deal.” I shook his hand.

“Good.” He released me and leaned back. “Did you know you have a hickey beneath your left ear?”

Chapter 22

At just after four in the afternoon, I tried to cover the hickey as I fixed my makeup in the police department’s bathroom. Unfortunately, Mert would have to stay in the hospital for another day or two, so I promised him I would handle the diner for the next couple of days.

My phone, which had dried out nicely after being turned off for so long, kept blowing up with texts from friends and family asking about Mert, and I had no doubt he’d have more company than he could ever want in a few more minutes.

For now, I had hustled to the police station to meet Nick. I couldn’t believe he’d left a hickey behind my ear or that I hadn’t noticed it all day. Had anybody else seen it? I figured Donna would’ve mentioned it earlier if she had, and I’d worn my hair down, but seriously, it wasn’t the only mark Nick had left on my body.

I had to admit, I’d left a few on his, too. It was a night I would never forget and one I wanted to repeat. What in the world was I going to do about Nick Basanelli?

I figured both of us eventually wanted a calm and steady relationship in our lives, and I just couldn’t see how we’d accomplish that together. It wasn’t only our locations that hindered our happily ever after. Plus, I liked to work, and I worked hard. I’d had more than one boyfriend complain that I wasn’t around enough, and with Nick’s job being so demanding, we’d probably never see each other.

Yeah, I was reaching for reasons not to get hurt.

My phone dinged, and I lifted it to my ear. “Hello.”

“Hey, Tessa. It’s Hank Brando.” His voice was low and slightly raspy. Probably from being in the cold all the time. “I promised my aunt Sadie we’d go on a date this week. I didn’t know you were interested in me.”

“When did you last speak with Sadie?” I asked instantly, pivoting to put my butt to the sink.

He cleared his throat. “Sometime last week. Why?”

“Do you know where she is now?”

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