Page 44 of Wait For You

Ever since he had started dating, it felt different with him. Not that we interacted all that much. My interactions with him had been limited to court paperwork, drop-off times, or the occasional out-of-the-ordinary encounter in the community.

But when we met for drop-offs for Eric, it was like I didn’t even exist to Rich anymore. He usually had his girlfriend with him. She would smile, and I would smile, and that would be it. I was still wrestling with the worry that I should say something to her about him, yet I had no idea how to go about handling that.

Being out in public holding a man’s hand, a man who I actually liked, was far beyond what I had ever expected. Adam held the back door to the winery open, dropping my hand and coaxing me forward with his palm in the curve of my back. I savored every touch from him.

I took an unsteady breath. Anticipation mingled with a little anxiety spinning through me. I was pretty sure Rich had to know I was dating Adam, but I didn’t know for sure.

“What do you think?” Fiona asked from where she stood by a round table in the corner of the employee break room.

Even though I had come and gone through here many times with permission from McKenna and the family, it felt different coming in here with Adam. It felt like I belonged.

My uncle David was seated at the table. He winked as he glanced over. “Hey, Tessa,” he said as Adam and I approached.

“Hey, Uncle David. What are you doing working so late?” I teased.

My uncle was known for working late hours. He’d been the main chef here for years and years until he hired Fiona as the chef and stepped down to only administrative management. An array of plates was set out on the table.

“We’re testing some new recipes,” Fiona explained when Adam and I stopped beside her.

She gestured her hand in an arc over the table. “Please, try everything.” She handed us a little notepad. Each plate had a number on it. “Just write the number and what you think.”

“Can this be an official job?” I teased as I reached for what looked to be a scrumptious cheesy roll.

My uncle chuckled. “We could add a line item to the budget, but people are willing to taste test for free, so I don’t think so.”

Adam’s hand fell away from my waist as he reached for a sample.

“What is this?” I wrote the number on my notepad as I held it up.

“It is a brie pastry with blackberries. I want to have some new specials for the holidays,” Fiona replied.

“That’s months away,” I pointed out before I took a bite and moaned as the savory and tart flavors broke across my tongue.

She grinned. “It is months away, but we need time to plan.”

I finished chewing and reached for the pencil. “Should I write moan-worthy?”

“You can write whatever you want,” David replied.

“Were you part of the menu planning?” I asked him as I selected another item.

“I had input, but these are Fiona’s ideas.”

“Don’t give me too much credit,” Fiona said dryly. “Everything’s derivative. There are so many recipes out there these days. I just try to come up with my own twist.”

“This is absolutely delicious,” Adam said after he finished chewing.

“Are you staying for locals’ night?” I nudged my head in the direction of the restaurant down the hallway.

Fiona nodded. “I’ll be out there in about half an hour.”

My uncle stood from the table and rounded it to give me a quick hug. “It’s good to see you.” He glanced toward Adam. “You take good care of her.”

Adam held his gaze. “Always.”

My heart squeezed with a sharp, sweet pang when I felt Adam’s eyes shift to me. I swallowed and took a breath. I wanted to fling my arms around him, but we were in public, so I had to keep myself together. Emotion tended to crest in startling waves when I was with him. I was trying to play it cool, to let this be a normal relationship. But I’d never had a normal relationship, if there was even such a thing. Rich was my only serious relationship. My view of relationships was distorted and damaged. When all was said and done, I felt lucky I had escaped.

My uncle squeezed my shoulder as he walked by. “Have a good night.” He waved over his shoulder as he slipped out the back door.