Chapter Nineteen #2
“We’re booked for the three-hour afternoon whale watching tour, so we have time for an early lunch,” Tess said.
“Just don’t tell Marnie that I’m sneaking in more than a granola bar or yogurt for my noon calories because I have a minimalist lunch reputation to uphold.
To hold this backside in check. What do you think? ”
“I think I like that backside.”
Tess rolled her eyes. “I meant about lunch.”
“Well, I’m not a granola bar or yogurt minimalist. The dancing you’re going to do with me will keep that backside of yours in admirable shape, no matter what you eat for lunch or dinner.
I’ve got plans for you to dance those calories right off.
There’s going to be no rest for the wicked if I have any say.
I want to see your wild side.” Bree gave her a playful look from the passenger seat.
“God, what did I get myself into when I invited you along?” Tess grumbled, though she was already having a good time. Tess felt a low heat surge, unwelcome because it would only torture her today.
“Hey, no complaining. I’m buying lunch,” Bree said. “You can pick whatever you want and take your best shot at my wallet. Lobster, or that crab named Louie you missed out on at Gabby’s play dinner, or—”
“How about we do a repeat and plan on sharing some appetizers for lunch?” Tess was happy to divert her attention to the prospective menu.
“I could manage that,” Bree replied. “As long as we do a shared dessert too.”
“You really have it out for my backside, don’t you?”
“My unvarnished opinion…it’s pretty doggone perfect.”
“Enough about my anatomy. Divert your attention to your phone and find us a restaurant with a lunch menu that won’t land you in bankruptcy court. And with a dessert menu that has something we can agree to share.”
Bree chuckled. “Sharing dessert seems to be becoming a favorite event of ours. It started in Tahoe if I remember correctly. Not that I’m remembering Tahoe…Dessert in Tahoe stays in Tahoe.” She grabbed her phone from her purse and began tapping away.
Tess did her best to keep her focus on the road. With the coastal scenery flying past, with Bree in the seat next to her as she navigated them toward the day’s adventure together, Tess wanted more days like today. She didn’t want to give this up.
She wondered if anything could dissuade Bree from her position that she already had too much on her plate.
And old insecurities niggled at Tess that she didn’t measure up.
She took a big breath. She wasn’t going to let her past encroach on the agenda today.
She wanted to enjoy this adventure, and for her to do that, Tess needed to focus on the moment and not worry about tomorrow.
But that was hard when she desperately wanted to trust Bree with her heart.
They laid down their forks and looked at the empty dessert plate where there had been a serving of Waldorf pudding, a delicious custard dish with apples and walnuts. They had ended up at a small restaurant across from the pier where the whale watching boat would be docked.
“That was delicious, but I’m questioning the wisdom of picking a restaurant called the Poseidon just before we head out to sea. And to think you picked it on purpose.” Tess’s tone carried an element of faux incredulity.
“You and boats and sinking ships. Don’t forget I’m the one with lifesaving skills.” Bree knew her eyes must be reflecting her merriment at being able to bring up the reference to their paddleboat trip and the subsequent kissing.
“As I recall, it was the mouth-to-mouth you so proudly boasted about.”
“And delivered, if I remember correctly.” Bree laughed as Tess blushed.
Tess shook her head and offered an exaggerated shrug. “On second thought, maybe I don’t recall.”
“Not quite the shade of the jacket, but from the shade of pink you just turned, I think you remember.”
“Well, I’m not dwelling on it. No place for discussions of sinking vessels when we’re about to board a boat to go chase down and wave at Flipper.
” Tess did a credible job of keeping her expression schooled to disdain, but Bree knew her well enough to read the entertained twinkle in her eyes and the bite of her lower lip that she employed to prevent a smile.
Tess was so many layers deeper than she often presented, and Bree was having a great time being entertained by Tess’s failed efforts to act as though she had no memory of their Tahoe kissing. She could tell that Tess was having a good time too.
“We’ve been over this. Not Flipper.” Bree offered Tess an exaggerated eye roll. “It’s whales. Maybe the boat will be named the Pequod. That was Captain Ahab’s boat. From Moby-Dick.”
“And I’ll have you know that the Pequod sank. You pick the Poseidon restaurant for lunch, then bring up the Pequod for a cruise. You’re not reassuring me, buttercup.” Tess’s eyes continued to twinkle.
“Buttercup? I think you’re sucking up in case you need my mouth-to-mouth skills after all.” Bree’s heart had done a little flip at the endearment. Tess was full of surprises.
“Well, I suppose it can’t hurt to have someone with your expertise along. And to stay on your good side.”
“And I thought you invited me for my wallet, so that I could pay for this so-much-better-than-yogurt meal,” Bree replied.
“Well, that too. Shall we pay up and empty your bank account then, before we head across the street to the pier and our maritime fate?”
“Nobody I’d rather face my maritime destiny with than you, sugar.” Bree figured she could get away with an endearment if Tess could. Of course, the grin on her face didn’t begin to keep her feelings under wraps the way Tess was able to do.
“You think I’m sweet? I’d hate to have to kiss that grin into submission out there on the boat. Those lovely choppers flashing in the sun just might attract sharks.”
“So, you’d be willing to kiss me to save me from becoming chum.” God, teasing Tess was fun.
“You’ve got that right.” Tess held out her hand. “Come on, princess, before the boat launches without us.”
Bree thought she’d be happy just sitting there at the table bantering with Tess the rest of the day. She wondered what that meant, and how long she could put off really thinking about it.