Page 64 of Taming Tesla

Before I can tell her to fuck off, Tess lifts her head from under the hood of the truck and directs her gaze at Jessica. “Hello, Jessica,” she says, her eyes completely clear, color back.

“You don’t mind if I steal our friend for a while do you?” Jessica offers her a pointed smile, emphasizing the word our. “I’ve got to get her to Anton’s today if we’re going to get her fitted for her dress in time for the wedding.”

Tess’s throat works for a moment, and her coloring slips again, the only indication that Jessica’s needling has any effect on her. She’s right. The only reason Jessica asked me to be a bridesmaid was to get to Tess.

I open my mouth to tell Jessica to stick her dress fitting, and Anton, straight up her ass. Again, Tess cuts me off before I speak my mind. “Absolutely,” she says, stepping away from the truck to slam the hood closed. “I’ve got to get these oil-changes done anyway. Dec needs his trucks back by the end of the day.”

“Thanks, Tess.” Jessica’s smile tightens at the familiar nickname Tess uses for her fiancé. I’ve never heard her use it before and I know she did it on purpose. “You’ve been a real trooper about this whole thing.” Jessica flicks her hand again, flashing her engagement ring. “You know—” She smiles. “About the wedding and all. I can’t tell you how much Declan and I appreciate it.”

Tess laughs, shaking her head as she reaches her hand into her pocket and pulls out a worn bandana. “Dec’s family,” she says, rubbing at the streaks of grease on her hands. “There’s not much I wouldn’t do for him.”

“Oh!” Jessica’s smile loosens up while she separates the straps of her purse to dig around inside. “That reminds me.” She pulls out a large, pale pink envelope and presents it to Tess. I know what it is, right away. It’s an invitation to the wedding.

This is why she’s here. Wrangling me into a dress fitting is just an excuse. She came here to wound Tess and knowing that makes me want to strangle her.

“I’ve been trying to get Declan to bring this to you for months but he’s being difficult—you know how he is sometimes.” She pushes the envelope into Tess’s hand, nose wrinkling at the grease smudges her fingers leave on the pristine cardstock. “I really hope you’ll be able to make it. Like you said, you’re family.”

“Thanks,” Tess says, her voice calm and level, gaze aimed at the invitation in her hand for a moment before she looks at me. “You guys should probably go.” She’s telling me to get Jessica out of the garage before she does something she can’t take back. I wonder if Jessica knows how close she is to getting murdered.

“Are you sure?” I say carefully. I don’t want to go. I want to stay here—and possibly kick Jessica’s ass—but Tess seems intent on my leaving.

“Absolutely.” She says it again, her mouth forced into a smile. “See you tonight?”

I barely manage a nod before Jessica grabs me by the arm and drags me away.

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