Page 41 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“Thanks.” He dropped a twenty into my tip jar before filling his coffee mug.

“How did yesterday go for you? I’m guessing the bruises were a bit of a surprise for everyone.”

“Oh yeah.” He stood at the counter opposite me. “We have to make sure Lilith never finds out that woman’s name. I think she might take her down. Ava fussed over me and made one of my favorites for dinner. The guys cursed a lot.”

“I bet they did, and I can’t blame them. What did Ava make?”

“Enchilada casserole.” He bit into his doughnut and moaned. “These are amazing. Every time.”

“Have you said anything to your dad yet?”

He shook his head. “No. I’m going to wait a week or two. How was your day?”

“Quiet. Busy. Delaney stopped by and grilled me about my week.” I made a funny face, hoping to at least get a chuckle for my efforts.

It worked. “I fielded a few questions myself. Not from Delaney. Ava must’ve asked if I’d had a nice week at least ten times.”

“Good morning.” Eli held open the door as Delaney walked in. “I’m glad you took a vacation, but I missed having doughnuts.”

Delaney patted his stomach. “It was probably good for you.”

Eli stopped and grinned at Garrett. “Hey there. You look like someone took a bat to you.”

“Just fists. Mostly. I’m much improved from last Saturday. I’m almost not ugly anymore.”

I leaned over the counter and swatted his arm, not hard because that would be rude and because of his bruises. “You were never not handsome.”

Garrett lifted his eyebrows. “I thought you didn’t lie.”

“I’m not lying.” I handed Eli and Delaney each a to-go cup and nodded at the coffee station. “Freshly brewed.”

When I made eye contact with Delaney, she pressed a hand over her heart and fluttered her eyelashes.

I rolled my eyes and picked up a rag to wipe down counters. Again. Garrett and I were just friends, but that didn’t mean I was blind to his good looks. Or his other fantastic qualities. So many of them.

He devoured his doughnut, then sipped his coffee until after Eli and Delaney left. “I should go, but I’ll give you a call later maybe.”

“Sounds good.” Maybe my worries that I wouldn’t see him often were unfounded. I hoped so.

That eveningjust before I tucked in bed, Mom called.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Tessa, I hadn’t heard from you and was starting to get a bit worried. You usually don’t go an entire week without calling.”

“Sorry about that. I ended up spending a week with a friend—”

“A guy?”

“Yes, but he’s only a friend. Things were busy.” Sort of. Now I felt a little bad for not calling.

“I’m happy to hear you have a newfriend.” The smile in her voice left no doubt I’d be hearing about this again. “I was afraid the squabble your dad and I had at Thanksgiving bothered you.”

I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it half a second. Mom had never apologized for their arguments before.

“Uh, I... it wasn’t that big a deal. I guess I’m used to it.” I wanted to retract the words as soon as they left my mouth. That was the wrong thing to say.

Mom sighed. “Sorry about that. I’m trying not to find fault as often. And your dad is trying not to have faults.”

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