Page 38 of The Broken Heart Playlist
I roll my eyes. “Does it have to be a dramatic production every time you sneeze?”
“You know me, full of drama.”
Full of troubleis a more apt description.
When Lisset reappears in the kitchen without the two men, saying “Uncle Aaron wanted a talk with Gideon,” I raise my eyebrows at Tess.
She waves away my concern. “Aaron can’tnotquestion him. He’s looking out for you.”
I’m not altogether resentful, but I’m also fretting a little, wondering what Aaron will say to Gideon.
“You know you can trust Aaron, right?” Tess reassures me. “He won’t say anything you don’t want him say.”
I do trust him. When he took on Tess, he took me on too. Not begrudgingly, but willingly. And I’m not offended by his quiet concern and protectiveness. In truth, I’m secretly grateful he has my back.
When the men finally return, I can’t glean much from their faces. All I know is that Gideon appears his usual relaxed self, while Aaron’s frown seems to have carved itself into his skin.
We sit down to eat at the dining room table, which Tess has decorated with fresh flowers and candles. My sister has orchestrated the seating arrangements so I end up opposite Gideon with Aaron seated next to me. I know Tess’s devious mind. She wants Gideon watching me and Aaron watching Gideon.
The seafood paella is in a huge shallow pan in the middle of the table. While we pile our plates with paella, salad, potatoes, and tomato bread from Beth’s Bakery, Lisset gives in to the temptation to blow the candles out. I shoot her The Look and she slouches back in her seat. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Tess high-fiving her. Honestly, the two of them will be the death of me.
Tess turns to Gideon. “Orange juice?” she asks, picking up the jug on the table.
He grimaces. “No thanks.”
“Not a fan?” I query.
“Nope. The pulp freaks me out.”
“Me too!” Lisset says in delight, and I watch them enjoy a bonding moment over their shared disgust.
After Gideon pours himself a lemonade, he asks Aaron a question about his work.
“I’m in the cybersecurity field,” Aaron replies.
“That’s how we met,” Tess chimes in. “Aaron was sent to improve the cybersecurity of the greeting card company I was working for at the time.”
Interest stirs on Gideon’s face. “What was your biggest challenge there?” he asks Aaron.
“Tess,” Aaron answers without hesitation.
I let out a chuckle. I can well believe that.
Tess throws up her hands in good-natured surrender. “I admit I was...challenging.”
“Teaching Tess about security was an uphill battle,” Aaron elaborates with the hint of a smile. “She wouldn’t take it seriously.”
“But I’m better now,” she maintains.
“Are you?”
Her chin goes up. “Yes!”
Aaron narrows his eyes at her. “Do you still have your little black book with all your usernames and passwords inside?”
Tess squirms a little. “Well, yes, but only because some of the passwords are so complicated I can’t remember them.”
Gideon and I trade an amused glance.
