Chapter 10
Note to Self: This is what being protected feels like
There was something supremely cathartic about sharing her past heartbreak with Venice.
It had been just over a week now that her life had been upended, and she’d walked away from everything to take a chance on a small seaside town.
She’d had no plans aside from never dating again and possibly getting a few cats.
And then she’d met Venice.
It was like something out of a romance novel.
“What is?”
Tessa dropped the book she was shelving when Lyra startled her.
Stooping to pick it up, she checked that it was undamaged and slid it into place on the shelf. “You scared the crap out of me! What is what?”
“You said ‘it was like something out of a romance novel,’ and I asked what you were talking about.”
Her cheeks heated. “I didn’t realize I said that out loud.”
“Ya did,” Lyra said, grinning. “So spill.”
The dragon female leaned against the shelf, her blue eyes dancing.
“So I told you about my ex and my best friend, and how I ended up here, right?”
“Yes. You finished filling me in on the whole sordid, awful story this morning over my famous vanilla oat milk lattes.”
“Famous?”
“Soon to be.” Lyra made a go-on motion with her hands.
“Right. Anyway, I was just thinking that my coming to Sable Cove to start over with no plans to get involved with anyone and end up meeting my Mr. Right the second day I’m here is like a romance novel plot.”
Lyra chuckled. “Yeah, it is. Fate has an interesting sense of humor.”
“I’ll say.”
They moved to the counter, and Tessa broke down the box and tucked it under the others to take out to the recycling in the back.
“But you’re happy now,” Lyra said. “And you’ve got a good-looking, awesome fallen angel for your forever-guy. I hope my guy shows up soon.”
“What guy?” Zay demanded as he strode into the bookstore, every inch the protective big brother.
“No guy, just wishful thinking,” Lyra said.
Zay’s upper lip curled. “No dating until you’re thirty.”
“Thirty! Holy crap, Zay. You’re not even thirty, and you’re mated.”
“I’m a guy. It’s different for guys.”
“Because you’re sexist?” she asked, tilting her head.
He snarled. “No dating.” He dropped off the mail for Lyra to go through and left with a head nod to Tessa.
“He’s a man of few words,” Tessa said.
“Unless it’s about me dating, apparently.”
Tessa glanced at her watch. “Time for me to hit the road.”
“Hot date tonight?”
“Movies. I’m in the mood for popcorn, and Venice said there’s an old theater in Dewsbury.”
“Action or romance?”
“It’ll all be romance no matter what,” Tessa said.
“Oh gosh, I’m jealous! Get out of here while I drown my sorrows in mint chocolate chip and one of those smutty-good dark romances.”
“Have fun!” Tessa called with a laugh.
“See you Monday!”
Tessa headed out the door to her car, her cheeks hurting from her smile.
She loved working at the bookstore, and her first week had made her feel like she’d been in town for ages.
She met lots of townspeople, spent time with Lyra and Sierra, and Zay’s mate, Kinsley the witch, who gave Tessa a pair of blessed candlesticks to light in the bedroom when she and Venice were ready to make things official.
She promised they’d ensure a sweet mating and a good life together.
Which was exactly what she was sure she’d have with Venice.
She’d been wanting to take things slow with him, but once she’d shared her past and let go of the hurt that had been like an albatross around her neck, she felt free to move on. With Venice.
She sent him a text to let him know she was heading home and would see him soon for the movie, and he sent back a heart emoji and a kissy face one.
“Freaking adorable angel,” she said with a smile.
Setting her phone in the cup holder, she headed home to the cottage.
When she parked next to the house, she got out and shut her door.
“Tessa, hi.”
She dropped her phone. It wasn’t possible.
She picked up her phone and turned slowly to find herself face to face with Evan.
Taking a step back, she blinked several times, wondering if she was losing her mind.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. I made a mistake, Tessie.”
She wrinkled her nose. She’d never liked that nickname.
Folding her arms across her chest, she planted her feet and squared her shoulders. Then she looked him over quietly and gathered her thoughts.
“How did you know where I was?”
He looked sheepish. “You’re still sharing your location with me.”
With a huff, she opened the app on her phone, stopped sharing her location, then deleted him so he wouldn’t have access to her whereabouts anymore. Not that it mattered at the moment. Here he freaking was.
“I miss you,” he said. He looked bad.
Good.
“You cheated on me with Lila.”
“I’m sorry, Tessie.”
She put up her hand. “Don’t call me that. And you can stuff your apology up your tailpipe and hit the road. You cheated. You’re a liar. And we’re done.”
Feeling all the badass vibes she could muster, she walked toward the front door.
“Wait! Tessie—I mean, Tessa. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I made a huge mistake.”
She stopped at the door and faced him. “You did make a huge mistake. We were about to move in together. You and Lila had been cheating on me for ages.”
“I love you.”
“It’s just words. I don’t love you. You need to leave and never come back.”
She unlocked the door and pushed it open.
“Wait! She cheated on me. She—she lured me away from you with sex and then broke my heart. I’m alone, Tessie. I’m lonely.”
Her heart twisted, but not out of pity for him.
He hadn’t come for her because he believed her to be his one great love. He’d shown up because he didn’t want to be alone.
“I’m no one’s second choice or safe landing after a breakup. Take your pitiful ass the hell out of Sable Cove and forget you ever knew me. I’ve moved on. So should you.”
She stepped inside, swiftly shut and locked the door, and leaned against the cool wood.
Her hands were shaking, and her heart was pounding. She’d never had any sort of confrontation like that before, but it was exhilarating.
She peeked out the blinds and saw he was gone. She wasn’t sure where he’d parked, but she hadn’t seen his vehicle at her cottage, so perhaps he’d been at the marina lot.
She opened the phone app and picked Venice’s number.
He answered on the second ring. “Hey, sweetheart. How’s your day been?”
“Wild. Can you talk for a bit?”
“I’m still on shift for another two hours, but I can stop by to see you for a break. Where are you?”
“The cottage.”
“I’ll be there soon. Is everything okay?”
“It is, actually. I just need to see you.”
“I’m on the way.”
The call ended, and she stared at the dark screen, then smiled.
Venice was dropping everything to come see her. He had shown her over and over this past week that he was putting her first. He’d planned a wonderful first date, he’d shared his home with her, introduced her to his friends…and now he was running to see her.
Although she’d never put it into words, it was what she’d always wanted.
She paced in the living room, her sandals clicking softly on the wood floor. Her nerves were buzzing, but not from fear—from the intensity of it all. The confrontation, the finality. The way she’d shut the door on her old life without a moment’s hesitation.
A vehicle door slammed outside.
She went to the window and peeked out the blinds, seeing Venice’s truck next to her car. He was looking around, scanning the area, and then he walked toward her front door.
She breathed out a sigh of relief.
She opened the door as he reached the porch. She hugged him, and he immediately hugged her back.
“Whoa, are you okay?”
“I am now. You won’t believe what happened.”
She pulled him into the house and told him about Evan.
He snarled softly at the end of her story, anger flashing in his eyes. “What a dick.”
“I know!” she said with a chuckle.
He pulled her in for a kiss and a hug. “I’m proud of you, Tessa. You held your ground and stood up for yourself.”
“I haven’t done that before. When I found him and Lila together, I was totally mute with shock. And then I just walked away.” She was unexpectedly happy that he was proud of her. “You came here fast.”
“You sounded a little off, and I didn’t want to wait to come see you.”
“Thank you.”
He smiled, the half-one that curved one side of his mouth just perfectly. “Baby, I will always come for you.”
And she believed him.
It was hard to believe that one of the crappiest days of her life had led her down a path to meet Venice, who was hands-down one of the best guys she’d ever known.
“I’m thankful for every choice that brought me to you,” she whispered, leaning into the hug and resting her head on his chest so she could listen to his heart beating.
“Even broken roads can lead home,” he said. “And you’re home for me.”