Chapter Ten – Matt #2
Tessa looked up, meeting his eyes directly. “I was thinking... maybe I could show you the progress after the farmers’ market? Get your input before I finalize it?”
His bear practically danced with excitement. She wants more time with us!
“I’d love that,” Matt replied, keeping his voice steady despite the surge of hope her words triggered. Yes, we would, his bear agreed. We have all the time in the world for our mate.
That wasn’t true. Matt needed to be back at the restaurant for eleven thirty at the latest. But he resisted the urge to look at his watch. He didn’t want to rush Tessa. In truth, if they never reached the farmers’ market and spent the morning here in the sun together, he’d be just as happy.
“I should probably help get the girls ready,” Tessa said, glancing toward the house. “Give me fifteen minutes to change?”
“Take all the time you need,” Matt replied. “I’ll clean up.”
“You don’t have to,” Tessa told him.
“I know.” He gave her a lopsided smile.
She paused, watching him for a moment before nodding. “Thanks.”
As Tessa headed inside, Matt gathered their empty mugs and plates, pure elation bubbling up inside of him. A whole morning with Tessa—the farmers’ market, maybe coffee and cake, reviewing her sketch. It wasn’t a formal date, but it was something.
It’s everything, his bear corrected. It’s a beginning.
Our beginning. Matt carried the dishes inside, where the sound of small feet thundering down the stairs announced the girls’ return. They appeared in the kitchen doorway, now fully dressed for school, backpacks in hand.
“Are you taking Tessa on a date?” Aria asked bluntly, fixing Matt with a surprisingly shrewd look for a seven-year-old.
Matt nearly dropped the plates he was rinsing. “We’re going to the farmers’ market,” he answered carefully.
Lucy’s small face scrunched in concentration as she stared up at Matt. “But if you’re not on a date, why are you bringing her presents?”
“The pastries were for everyone,” Matt explained, feeling a flush of heat creep up his neck. “Not just Tessa.”
“But you looked at her the whole time,” Aria pointed out, crossing her arms with the confidence of someone who had just delivered irrefutable evidence. “And you smiled extra big when she liked them.”
Matt’s bear rumbled with amusement. They’re observant little cubs.
“Well, I...” Matt struggled to find an appropriate response that wasn’t a lie but didn’t reveal too much. “I enjoy making people happy with food. That’s why I became a chef.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes, clearly unsatisfied with this explanation. “This early in the morning?”
“I…” Matt started, but Aria cut him off.
“And you keep looking at the stairs to see if Tessa’s coming back yet.”
Matt hadn’t even realized he was doing that.
His bear chuckled. Caught red-handed.
“Do you think Tessa is pretty?”
“Pretty?” Matt felt his face grow warm. These kids were relentless. “I, uh…”
“Is her hair pretty? Do you like her eyes? Mom says people in love look at each other’s eyes a lot,” Lucy continued, tilting her head to study him.
Matt set the last plate in the dish drainer, buying himself a moment. “Tessa is...” How could he possibly answer this without revealing too much? “She’s very talented with her art.”
Aria rolled her eyes dramatically. “That’s not what we asked.”
“Do you want to marry her?” Lucy asked, her small face completely serious. “Because if you do, you could all live here, and then you could make pain au chocolat every morning.”
“And fairy houses,” Aria added helpfully. “You’re good at fairy houses.”
Matt’s bear was practically howling with laughter inside him. They’ve got us figured out completely.
“Girls!” Rachel appeared in the doorway, leaning on her cane. “Stop torturing my boss.”
“We’re not torturing,” Aria protested. “We’re just asking important questions.”
“About fairy houses,” Matt added weakly.
Rachel gave him a sympathetic smile. “Come on, girls. Time for school. Say goodbye to Matt and Tessa.”
“But we’re not done asking questions,” Lucy protested, her small face set in determination.
“Does Tessa make your heart go all fluttery?” Aria asked, pressing her hands to her chest dramatically. “Because Mom says...”
“That’s enough,” Rachel said firmly, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “School. Now.”
“Fine,” Aria sighed, slinging her backpack over one shoulder. “But we’re not done investigating.”
“Definitely not done,” Lucy agreed solemnly. She turned to Matt, lowering her voice to what she clearly thought was a whisper, but was actually perfectly audible. “Don’t worry. I’ll put in a good word for you with Tessa.”
Matt struggled to maintain his composure. “Thanks, Lucy. I appreciate that.”
The girls finally allowed themselves to be herded toward the front door, both turning back to wave at Matt before disappearing outside. He exhaled slowly, feeling as though he’d just survived an unexpectedly intense interrogation.
Rachel lingered in the doorway, studying him with a knowing expression that reminded him unnervingly of her daughters. “So...” she said, her voice casual but her eyes sharp. “Is it a date?”
The question hung in the air between them, direct and unavoidable. Matt’s bear perked up immediately, urging him to claim it proudly. Yes, it’s a date with our mate!
Matt felt a smile spread across his face, one he couldn’t have contained if he’d tried. “I hope so.”
“So do I,” Rachel said, then left him.
Speechless.