“That’s not what I…What do you want from me, Kerry? Honestly.” Tessa threw her hands up.
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe for you to acknowledge that you’re treating Diane precisely the way Mom and Dad treated me back when they disagreed with my choices,” Kerry threw back at her.
“Diane is my daughter. Not yours.”
“I'm not trying to be her mother!” It was Kerry's turn to throw her hands in the air. “Maybe if you spent more time listening to your daughter and less time being envious of us spending time together, you wouldn't feel like I’m competing for her attention.”
Tessa sputtered. “I am not jealous,” she refuted, folding her arms tight over her chest.
“Are you sure?” Kerry quirked an eyebrow. “Because it seems like a sore point for you whenever I bring up Diane.”
“Okay, guys, let's take it down a notch.” Cora jumped in.” I know you're both emotional right now because of all that has been said, but we're here to have fun. Right?” She turned her head to look at the others for agreement.
“You want me to be okay with my daughter throwing away three years of med school to become a bistro owner? Something you have encouraged?” Tessa ignored Cora to ask. She fixed her sister with a challenging glare.
“Yes,” Kerry returned without hesitation, her gaze unwavering. “Because it Is. Her. Choice.”
Tessa shook her head. “You've convinced my daughter that this is best for her despite the money spent and the years she studied... Don't they count for anything?” She stared at her sister with incredulity.
Kerry sighed, dropping her chin against her chest. “I don't know if I should be angry or disappointed by what you just said,” she continued after a moment. Even with the upbeat music that filled the space, the atmosphere at their table was tense. Kerry looked her sister in the eye as she asked, “Are you disappointed that your daughter chose to follow her heart, or is it because you can't take credit for it?”
Tessa’s mouth hung open, and her chest tightened at her sister's words.
“Okay, that’s enough!” Cora spoke firmly, gaining everyone's attention. “Whatever is going on
between you”—she pointed back and forth between Tessa and Kerry—“needs to stop. We came here to unwind and have fun.”
Kerry hung her head.
Tessa glanced at the uncomfortable faces at their table and immediately regretted her outburst.
“Kerry, Tessa is your sister, the only one you've got, and the same goes for you, Tessa. Life is too short to be holding on to grudges. Believe me, I know. You should be pulling together, not tearing apart. Whatever is causing you to behave like this, especially in public, you need to fix it,” Cora instructed.
Tessa looked over at her sister, looking down at her clasped hands on the table. “Kerry, what I said earlier, I'm sorry, and I want you to know I could not be prouder of you for being the bold and loving person you are.”
Kerry's head snapped up, her eyes wide with surprise. “I'm sorry too, Tessa. What I said about you and Diane was wrong and mean. I wish I could take it back.”
Tessa reached across the table and rested her hand atop Kerry's. “It's okay,” she
assured her with a bright smile, which Kerry returned.
“Great. You guys made up. Let's dance.” Shelby clapped gleefully.
The sisters laughed at this, and the others joined in before rising from the table and heading to the dance floor. Tessa and Cora were the only ones who stayed back, preferring to watch the others entertain themselves. By the time they were ready to leave, Tessa’s mind had moved on from her argument with Kerry, and she smiled more.
As she headed for the exit, Tessa noticed someone who looked oddly familiar by the bar. Although she could only see the side of his face under the strobe lights as he spoke to someone at the counter, she was sure it was someone she knew. At that moment, as if sensing her gaze, his head turned in her direction. Tessa released an audible gasp. The man, whose eyes sparked with recognition, stood from the barstool and walked in her direction. She began to fidget.
“What’s wrong?” asked her sister, who’d noticed her panic.
“My boss is here?”
“Your what?” Kerry asked.
“The new head of trauma, Justin. He’s here.”
ChapterSeven
Tessa
