Chapter Twelve #4
Tessa felt her eyes widen. “Twenty-one. Wow.” She couldn’t imagine herself as a wife and mom at that age. At twenty-one, she’d barely lived.
“Yeah,” he said. “The decision confused everyone, because she was already working full-time, caring for the house, her husband, and my four-year-old niece. She finally confessed that she needed to get a better job so she could leave her husband and raise Hanna on her own. After that, we nearly drowned her in support. Meanwhile, her now ex-husband berated her for going back to school, because it took time away from him, cost money he didn’t want to spend, and put more of the housework and childcare on his shoulders. ”
“No wonder she wanted to leave him,” Tessa muttered.
“The two parties asking the most questions were the ones it mattered to most.”
His words resonated. She felt the same way about most people who made changes.
Curious and supportive. Not unhappy or defensive as Peyton or even Xavier had been.
They’d only shown interest in the changes that had directly affected them.
Like wondering why she didn’t bring coffee to the weekly meeting, or why she wasn’t working overtime anymore.
Then her thoughts shifted uncomfortably to her brother and his alleged changes.
Yes, she’d been hurt in the past by his behavior, but wasn’t every attempt at change admirable?
And couldn’t all those attempts eventually carve a foundation he could stand on?
Shouldn’t she be his biggest advocate and source of support?
Not one more voice of negativity in a world of people who didn’t know and love him?
“How’s your sister doing now?” she asked, hoping she’d gotten her happy ending.
A prideful smile swept over Grant’s face. “She became a CPA last year. Now she and Hanna live about ten minutes from our folks, and we all helped her move. What she did wasn’t easy. But it was worth it.”
She nodded. “Some of the people who aren’t on my side don’t like the changes I’m making,” she said.
Grant tented his brows. “I’m sorry you’re going through that.”
He stopped walking when they reached the cobblestone bridge and turned to lean a hip against the railing. Then he stared meaningfully into her eyes. “In most cases, one person’s change almost always impacts others. I guess you’ll find out who’s on your side pretty quickly now.”
Around them, the streetlamps flickered on, bathing them in a cone of light.
On the beautiful, historic bridge, above the racing water, beneath the twilit sky, he looked at her as if she was the heroine in a romance novel.
In reality, unfortunately, she was a woman fighting to reclaim herself in the midst of a messy reality she’d accidentally designed.
A group of kids in antennae headbands and butterfly T-shirts ran by in a cloud of giggles, breaking the spell. A set of moms pushing strollers and toting large paper butterfly wings hurried along in the children’s wake.
Tessa shoved away from the stone handrail and moved slowly toward the lot where she’d left her car.
He easily matched her pace, and they stopped outside the empty storefront where they’d met earlier. “Thanks again for dinner,” she said.
“Anytime.”
Grant’s gaze trailed a couple in caterpillar costumes as they eased along the crowded walkways. “Change is good, you know?”
“Especially for caterpillars?” she guessed.
He stepped slightly closer. “Especially for caterpillars.” He grinned. “I had a nice time today.”
“Me too,” she said, feeling impossibly light on her feet again.
“Keep me posted about your friend’s work situation,” he said. “I feel invested.”
She smiled, and Grant held her gaze for a long moment, before looking shyly away and back.
He extended his hand in her direction, offering a shake.
She slid her palm over his, and he stepped a little closer.
“I hope you won’t give up on the changes you’re making. Ignore the naysayers. They don’t matter. Some people can’t see what’s right in front of them.”
Goose bumps pebbled her skin at the warmth of his touch and his words. She longed to hug him, to rise on her toes and wind her arms around his neck for being a voice of reason and support when she needed it most. Also for being so damn good looking and kind.
“Thank you for joining me for dinner, for weighing in on this place”—he tipped his head toward the office space, never taking his eyes off hers—“and for letting me get to know you a little better. I think we make a good team.”
Tessa couldn’t agree more.
Grant leaned slowly forward and planted a chaste kiss on her cheek.
Her breath caught in her throat at the sweet touch, and she yearned to turn her face and kiss him fully.
But he released her fingers and stepped back. “Call me if you need anything,” he offered. “A listening ear. Historical facts about our town. Dinner and a walk beneath the stars.”
Tessa nodded and bit down on a wide smile. Then she walked to her car, replaying their perfect night. Funny that he’d said some people can’t see what’s right in front of them. Because lately all she could see was him.