Chapter Seventeen
Tess had been to Flo’s house many times over the years.
Fred was a grill master when it came to his barbecue, and Tess was looking forward to the comradery and the meal.
It had been a long week with a full caseload, and now a long weekend so far.
She certainly hadn’t been accomplishing anything useful at home this Sunday afternoon while she’d tried to avoid thinking about Bree.
The front door swung open and Flo offered Tess a big hug. “Get yourself in here so we can get this party started.”
“You don’t need me to launch a party.” Tess handed Flo the pink box she was carrying. “I brought a chocolate cake from Bun Run Bakery.”
“That must be why I invited you. My favorite.”
“I should have just had the cake delivered,” Tess replied. “You, the cake, and a fork would have probably had a pretty decent afternoon.”
“You found me out.” Flo laughed. “But I invited a few others, so I’m stuck with a party now. Tell me, what can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll start with a sparkling water—I’ve got to drive myself home and not end up in front of a colleague facing a DUI.” Tess knew that consuming alcohol wouldn’t help her mood. She missed Bree.
“Or dancing buck naked in my front yard flower beds—that wild and naughty you’ve always refused to pursue.”
Tess raised her eyebrows. “I’m not a good dancer.”
“I know your mother had you enrolled in dance lessons—undoubtedly not in the nude.” Flo handed her a glass of sparkling water. “Go out and say hello to the cook. I’ve got things to finish in here, and I can’t keep an ear on the door from the patio.”
Just as Tess was heading out to see Fred, she heard the doorbell ring.
Not her favorite thing, the effort to be polite and make small talk with Flo’s other guests, but it would probably be better for her outlook on life than sitting home reading legal briefs or even a good novel. She needed to get Bree off her mind.
Chatter and laughter floated out from the kitchen. Flo tended to collect people, a skill Tess didn’t possess. She was so much less gregarious than Flo.
Tess had just waved at Fred when she heard what she thought was a familiar voice. Gabby? What was she doing here? Then it made sense—Gabby’s mom, Rachelle, was Fred’s cousin.
“Tess, is that you?” Gabby waved. “I didn’t know that you’d be here. Not until I saw that little red car out front, and then I only suspected it was yours. Not too many of those around town.”
Tess was about ready to interrupt her and ask what school play she might be practicing for when another voice floated out through the door and slammed Tess in the chest.
Her traitorous heart did a full cheerleading routine to rival Bree’s parking lot one.
Then she looked over to the open doorway and into the eyes of everything she’d convinced herself that she was trying to avoid this afternoon.
Not just thoughts of Bree, but so much worse.
There was the very woman in the flesh. In tight ass-hugging slacks and a white button-down shirt with just enough cleavage revealed to remind Tess of the two perfect breasts that created that view.
Just the sight of Bree elevated her mood.
Aversion to rejection had been part of who she was for her entire life, but her feelings for Bree were growing, encounter by encounter.
She was so far from the solitary person she’d been before Tahoe with that gaping hole in her life, just waiting to be filled.
And just seeing that Bree was here…her heart was doing cartwheels.
“Judge Fairchild, how nice to run into you today. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Bree’s eyes were warm with the unexpected turn of events, and Tess suspected that hers reflected the same.
“I didn’t receive a copy of the guest list either,” Tess replied. “But I’m glad you were on it.” Her entire afternoon had just shifted. She needed to just relax and appreciate this unplanned encounter.
“And would you have come if you had?” Bree asked.
Tess didn’t hear anything but sincerity in Bree’s tone, so she gave the question some serious thought.
Her emotions churned. Yes, she’d undoubtedly have come if she’d known Bree would be here because the bottom line was that Bree was good for her, and she thought she was good for Bree. If they could only make it past their issues.
“We’re two mature women who work together”—Tess let her volume drop so her next words were just for Bree—“and who like each other.”
“Well. I’m glad you’re here,” Bree replied.
Flo stuck her head out the door. “I’ve got a seating plan, and you two are over there at that small table in the shade. If you want to come in and start dishing your plates, Fred is just pulling the burgers off the grill.”
“No fair.” Hank had opened a beer, and he was observing the art of burger flipping. “Their own table, and they get first dibs on the burgers.”
“Hey, someone has to be the taste tester,” Bree told her brother.
“Go start to dish up in the kitchen, but leave room on your plate for the best burger you’re going to be offered today.” Fred pointed his metal spatula at Bree and Tess.
Gabby rolled her eyes. “The only burger.”
Tess had to smile at the back and forth between everyone—nothing like her family or her personal life.
Just like the night of the dinner and play, watching Bree interact with family only deepened what she was feeling for Bree.
She looked over at the table Flo had assigned to the two of them.
A little table with a large ulterior motive. She knew Flo too well.
Did she really want to be alone over there with Bree?
The answer was immediate. Hell, yes. She wanted to spend time with Bree.
And fate—or more likely Flo—was giving her just that.
Tess shook her head. Okay, she’d been trying to convince herself that distance was the only antidote to their chemistry, but she wasn’t going to get that distance this afternoon, so she’d embrace fate and enjoy this time with Bree.
Tess headed toward the kitchen where Bree was chatting with Rachelle. They filled their plates before returning to the patio and their little reserved table for some time together.
Bree took a bite of her burger and emitted a throaty, drawn-out sound of pleasure as she smacked her lips.
Tess chuckled. “Good burger, huh?” That moan tickled her lower regions and Bree’s full pink lips were way to enticing. She looked away for a moment and pulled herself back from the thoughts she was entertaining.
“Excellent.” Bree locked her gaze on Tess. “I love the way you’re handling your new presiding judge role, the small changes you’re introducing. I’d say long overdue judging by the follow-up comments of everyone except maybe Huffington.”
The compliment warmed Tess’s heart. In the past, she’d have stoically managed on her own, but now she really appreciated Bree’s opinion. Bree’s support. There were so many ways that Bree was good for her.
“Are you happy handling criminal cases?” Tess asked.
“I am. I think it’s a good fit for now. I’m enjoying the move from lawyer to judge.” Bree didn’t take her gaze off Tess. “For a number of reasons.”
“Me too.” Tess swallowed hard and then took another bite of her burger before she set it down on her plate and changed the subject.
“I’m planning on asking Helene for more information related to the courthouse and my new responsibilities.
The budget initially, and then a look at the generation of the court calendar.
Just for a bit better understanding, something my orientation prompted. ”
“I caught that when I overheard you talking to Helene,” Bree replied as TP sauntered out onto the patio. They both stopped and watched him wander over toward the grill. “How are Thelma and Louise doing?”
“They’re doing fine. Right there beside me while I work at home and snoring next to me at night.
I suspect once I start looking at budget numbers, they’ll become experts too.
” They both chuckled, then Tess set her salad fork down and looked at Bree.
“Can I ask something about you? Not work related.” When Bree nodded, she proceeded.
“I’ve told you a bit about my parents’ plans for me at birth.
I can see you and Hank had a different upbringing. What was your parents’ marriage like?”
“My parents are gone now, but they were in love to the end. They always claimed it was love at first sight, and they were devoted to each other. The kind of marriage I wanted…maybe why I took what happened in my marriage so hard.”
Tess touched Bree’s arm. “The pain we both carry from our pasts sure has a way of haunting us, doesn’t it?”
Bree nodded and took Tess’s hand. “But in spite of how hard it is to try to give Cupid the boot, that little arrow slinger is persistent. I don’t know what else to say right now, but don’t give up on me, Tess.”
Gabby headed over toward their table, and they fell silent. “I just want to make sure you’ve got that raffle prize nailed down. I think it has a limited time for you to collect.”
“Cupid in the flesh,” Bree muttered as she shook her head and winked at Tess.
“If you tell me that you have a day picked, I’ll go get you each a piece of Tess’s chocolate cake. I’ve had two slices, just to make sure it’s safe to eat.”
“Did it meet with your approval?” Tess couldn’t help but like Gabby. Bree was lucky to have close family.
“Since I’m not under oath, I’ll say…” Gabby waggled her hand in a so-so fashion. “You better send it home with me and save yourselves the calories.”
“That bad, huh? What do you think?” Bree looked at Tess. “Shall we save Gabby from cake calorie consumption and at least share a piece?”
Tess savored the easy banter. She’d never had it with a romantic interest before and it made her happy. It came so naturally when she was with Bree.