“That’s not true,” Justin refuted. “You do everything for your children because you love them. They may not agree with everything you say, but in the end, they’ll realize that you did the things you did because you loved them very much.”
Tessa’s lips lifted in a small smile.
“Then there’s Jake. He’s an analyst. He doesn’t live here, though. When his dad died, he chose to get out of Dodge.” Her lips turned down in a frown.
Just then, their food arrived.
“This looks heavenly,” she said, looking down at the steaming chicken alfredo she’d ordered.
The two dug into their food, and Tessa had to give it up to the establishment. The ambiance was great, and the food was superb. She would have to make it a habit to have lunch here at least three days a week.
“How did your husband die? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Tessa rested the fork down and looked up at Justin, who was already staring at her.
“Brain aneurysm. He died in his sleep, lying right beside me, and I didn’t notice until I was getting ready to leave for work. That was two years ago, but the memory is still fresh in my mind, and I keep wondering if I could have done anything to prevent it.” Her hand shook, and her face took on a look of melancholy.
She felt warmth envelop her hand, and she looked down at the table to see his hand covering hers. She looked up at him then.
“If you’re blaming yourself, you need to stop. It’s not your fault. There is nothing you could have done to prevent it. When my wife died, I spiraled because I thought I hadn't done enough— I hadn’t tried the new chemotherapy to prolong her life, so that made her death my fault. It led to me distancing myself from everyone because I felt they were judging me and blaming me for what happened. It is not a nice feeling, Tessa, and it is detrimental. Don’t let the guilt consume you.”
“I’m trying not to,” she confessed.
Justin nodded in understanding.
They continued to enjoy their food, and Tessa had to admit she enjoyed his company. She had thought him arrogant and standoffish, but the more she got to know him, she realized his passion sometimes came off as him being inflexible. She also saw how caring he was and patient with his patients, including her. He was a good man, she summarized.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
She blinked a few times until his face came into focus.
“I lost you a bit there,” he said.
“I’m sorry about that. What were you saying?”
He looked at her for a good while. Tessa’s brow furrowed in concern at his lack of response.
“There’s this woman who I think I like very much. She’s funny, smart, and very opinionated, but most importantly, she is very caring. She’s the first woman I’ve been interested in since my wife’s death.”
“Oh,” Tessa said, looking down at her cleared dish. She wasn’t sure why his confession that he liked someone felt like a thorn pricking her chest. Casting the thorny knot of emotions aside, she looked up with a light expression and asked, “Does she like you?”
“I’m not sure. That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” he replied.
“Well, maybe you should tell her and let the chips fly where they may,” she replied with a smile that she didn’t quite feel.
“Why don’t you answer the question then?” he asked with a slight tilt of his head.
Her brow furrowed in confusion before they widened with realization.
“I do like you, Tessa. A whole lot,” he confirmed that he was talking about her.
Her heart raced in her chest, and her breath hitched in her throat as she stared at him.
“Justin,” she started, trying to pick through her words.
“Uh-oh, that doesn’t sound promising at all,” he said with a small chuckle, even though his eyes swam with apprehension.
“You’re a nice guy, and I admire you a lot for all your work and for how caring you are, but I don’t think I’m ready to date anyone just yet.”
