“Guess I’m cooking on my day off, huh?”I say when I find Dylan and Tessa on the couch watching TV.
“Not tonight, sis,” Dylan says, not even looking away from the screen, too wrapped up in some sci-fi movie he’s watching, that if I had to guess, he’s already seen a million times.“Tess and the baby wanted pizza.”
“I hope that’s okay,” Tessa adds, looking up at me.“I’ve been craving pizza from Vito’s and I figured you’d be good with taking the night off from cooking.”
“Totally fine by me.It’ll give me more time to obsess over the menu for your baby shower.”I flop down on the couch across from them, pulling out my laptop, ready to share all my ideas with them.The menu will be my thing, but I know Tessa will want some input on the décor.
“Do you have a color scheme in mind?I know you aren’t finding out what you’re having,” I now say, and Tessa smiles, also reaching for her laptop that is sitting on the coffee table.Coming over, she sits down next to me.
“I was thinking pastels, but neutral.Like yellow and gray, maybe some silver in there too,” Tessa says, pulling up a few examples on her laptop and they’re adorable.A few of them have cute little bees on them, which would work perfectly since we’re planning to host the shower at one of the P, T and Bee buildings.
Tessa designed the tasting room for P, T and Bee when Tommy and Penny were starting their mead business and it’s the perfect place to host the shower.
It’s a stunning building with a vaulted ceiling and reclaimed wood beams.It has a bar and tables that will make a great location for the small shower Tessa is envisioning.We can add some greenery and bring in the cute little bee theme to really set everything up.
“Do you have any dates in mind?”I ask, knowing Tessa is busy with the restaurant renovation and trying to get ready for the baby.Dylan’s schedule is a little more flexible and while he isn’t hanging on our every word, he has looked over at us a few times, chiming in with his own ideas.
“Possibly having it on a weekday in the evening would be best since the weekends are usually pretty busy and I would hate to take business away from Tommy and Penny by using the tasting room,” Tessa says, graciously.
“I talked with Lauren and Penny and was able to nail down a few good dates,” I tell Tessa, pulling them up on my phone and letting her select the one she wants.Once she’s picked the date, I add it to my calendar, making sure I have the day and the day before free so I can focus on the menu.I’m sure Leo will be happy to help me, but that might mean I need to come clean with everyone that we’re dating.
“So what are your menu ideas?”Tessa asks, rubbing her hands together and smiling.She knows how much I enjoy this aspect of the planning.Just like I know she loves the designing aspect of her job.
“I have so many!”I squeal.“I was thinking an apple cider chili along with seasoned mixed greens with apples and walnuts in a honey vinaigrette for a starter.Totally farm to table, using honey and apples and cider from the property and sourcing meat locally.”
Dylan laughs out loud, shaking his head.“It’s hilarious to see you so damn excited about something.Only you would act like you’re talking about meeting a celebrity, when in reality, it’s just food.”
“Oh my god, Dylan!Just food?What the fuck?You know it’s not just food to me and you’ll be singing my praises once you taste this fabulous menu I’ve created.”
“I already sing your praises,” he says, hitting me with a smug look.“Who helped you land your dream job at Somerville’s?I’ll wait,” he adds, pausing for a second before saying, “Oh yes, it was me, your amazing brother.”
“Dylan,” Tessa warns, glaring at him.“Why don’t you go pick up the pizza?”
“Fine, fine.There better be a steak on that menu,” Dylan says, like I would leave off his favorite thing.
“Don’t worry, despite all your mocking, I’ve got you covered.Filet in a cider reduction with autumnal vegetables,” I shoot back.
“You know you can just say vegetables because I have no idea what autumnal means,” Dylan replies, making Tessa and I laugh.
“Just go get the pizza, please,” Tessa says, flicking her hand toward the door.Dylan lets out a hard sigh, leaning down to give Tessa a kiss.
“You didn’t order the cheesecake,” Dylan whispers against Tessa’s mouth.“I’m going to get it for you because I know you want it and I really don’t want to go out and pick it up later.”
“Thank you.”
Dylan leaves and Tessa’s head immediately whips around to look at me, the room falling silent for a few seconds and then she spits out, “Tell me what’s going on with Leo!”
Her voice is loud and I panic for a second that Dylan could have forgotten something.I picture him walking through the door and hearing his adorable fiancée squealing about my sex life with my hot boss.
“Tessa, shush!”I whisper-shout, widening my eyes at her.
“Don’t worry about him.Right now, he’s sitting in the car trying to figure out if he should bring home one or two pieces of cheesecake and if he should stop and pick up vanilla ice cream in case I have heartburn.”
It really is so funny to see how much Dylan has changed and how much he seriously loves and adores Tessa.She’s changed him for the better, making him into a doting partner and soon to be father, something I thought I would never see.It makes my heart happy.
“So,” Tessa adds, rolling her hand to get me to talk.
I clench my teeth, worried about saying too much.Leo and I have kept this whole thing pretty hush-hush and not because either of us aren’t all-in when it comes to our relationship.It’s more about how it looks to the outside observer.He’s my boss and the last thing we need is people thinking there’s any favoritism going on.
