Page 101 of Whisking It All

Tessa paused in her chopping, her mouth dropping open and shame flooding her. “How did you—did Ethan—”

Grama gestured to the refrigerator with her spatula. “Anyone with eyes can see how that boy feels. His emotions have always been written all over his face.”

Tessa followed the end of the spatula to the photograph held on the fridge with a magnet in the shape of a flamingo. It was a poor-quality copy of one of the promotional photos she and Jamie had taken for the festival, likely printed on a home computer. In it, Tessa was throwing sprinkles at a cupcake, smiling at the camera, while Jamie looked down at her with such adoration in his eyes it made her heart twist in her chest. What she wouldn’t give for him to look at her like that again.

“Do you love him?” Grama asked. For the first time since they’d started cooking, the older woman turned her full attention to Tessa, studying her face.

Tessa swallowed. “Yeah. I do.”

“Hmm. That is complicated,” Grama said, turning back to her skillet. “I don’t suppose your father is too happy about that.”

Tessa huffed out a laugh. “That’s putting it mildly.” She returned to chopping the potatoes. “What should I do?” she asked in a small voice.

Grama put her hands on her hips and surveyed the kitchen. “Well, right now I think you should finish up chopping those potatoes. After that I’m planning on opening a bottle of wine and having a glass while this dinner finishes cooking. You’re welcome to join me.”

“I meant—”

“I know what you meant, baby girl. One step at a time.”

∞∞∞

12:23 pm

Jamie: Where are you? What happened with Ethan?

3:57 pm

Jamie: Baby, please just let me know you’re alright.

8:03 pm

Tessa: I’m okay.

Jamie: Where are you? I’ll come to you.

Tessa: I’m in Florida.

Tessa: With my grandparents.

Tessa: I think I need to stay here for a while.

Jamie: How long?

Tessa: I don’t know.

Jamie: The festival is next week.

Tessa: I need to figure a few things out.

Jamie: Can’t we figure them out together?

Tessa: I’m sorry.

Jamie: I don’t need your apology. I need you here with me.

Jamie: What happened to staying? What happened to not running away?

Tessa: I’m not running away.

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