Page 130 of Love Is an Art
“That’s true.” She kisses me. “All right. I’ll definitely submit my application. It’s not a foregone conclusion it will be accepted anyway.”
“After Ken’s speech about you tonight, you should accept it as a foregone conclusion,” I say.
“Maybe, but that’s Ken. He’s not the sole decision-maker. I don’t want to get my hopes up and then have them dashed.”
A German Shepherd comes up to Brit, and they sniff each other. The leashes tangle, and I exchange pleasantries with the older man walking that dog. They meander off, and we walk up the slight incline toward the park exit.
She stops and turns to me. “Will you have to work with Paisley a lot if you invest in their company?”
“Potentially. Sort of. But there are a lot of variables before that’s a possibility. We’d have to decide to present Red Can to the investment committee, and the committee would have to approve it. And even then, I’d make my junior be the prime contact. And she’s the lawyer, so she wouldn’t be our first point of contact either.”
“That’s quite a detailed explanation.” Tessa looks down. “I know it’s stupid, but I feel insecure about it. I think it’s because Wyatt dumped me so suddenly. And you guys were going to get married—if she hadn’t cheated. You clearly loved her very much.”
“But she did cheat,” I say. I hold Tessa’s hands and stare into her eyes, willing her to believe me. “I like you. I’m not in love with Paisley anymore.”
“How did you guys end up in the gazebo at the wedding?”
“She apologized during the dance and looked like she was about to cry. The last thing I wanted was some scene, so I hurried us off the dance floor. And then she pulled me into that freaking, flower-filled gazebo. And she apologized again, and I said I accepted it. Then she put her hand on my chest and asked something like, ‘Even in your heart?’”
I wince. That was cheesy.
“And I said yes and that I’d moved past it because I was happy with you. I should have explained. I thought you weren’t jealous.”
“Apparently, I am the jealous type.” Tessa looks forlorn about this. She scuffs her foot. I kiss her quickly. She looks so cute.
“You don’t have to be jealous,” I say. “I have no interest in anyone but you.”
Does she still feel anything for Wyatt?He was her first serious relationship.
“It was impressive that Wyatt bought a table,” I say. Rationally, it’s great that Wyatt bought a table. More funds for FLAFL. It’s not like she should have told him not to. I should have bought a table. I understand her rationale for not telling me, but it still rankles. “I wish you had told me.”
She faces me. “I didn’t want you to feel any pressure to do the same. And it wasn’t about me.”
“Wyatt was definitely flirting with you,” I say.
“I thought so too.” Tessa shakes her head.
“Maybe he wants you back,” I say. “If he did—”
“I don’t think he means it. Remember, he dumped me. I hate to break it to you, but not everyone finds me that appealing or irresistible. Which is why I have to hold on to you.” She hugs me. “You can’t get rid of me.”
Did she answer my question of whether she wants him back?
She hugs me even tighter and nuzzles her face into my neck. “I’m keeping you.”
I hug her firmly against me. “I’m keeping you too.”
“You better be.”
If I ask her again about Wyatt, I’ll look like I haven’t recovered from my Paisley trust issues. But I have. I’m good.
Chapter forty-two
Tessa
Isay“thankyou”again to Ken and put my phone down on my desk.FLAFL offered me the job.
I got the job!
