“Justin, you remember my sister, Kerry.”
“Ah, yes. It’s nice to see you again.” He smiled while holding out his hand for her to take.
“Likewise.” She grinned. “Although Tessa didn’t mention she would have a plus-one.” She smirked.
“I think Mom is trying to get your attention.” Tessa stepped in and pointed at her mother sitting in a rocking chair on the porch.
“It was great seeing you again, Justin. I hope we’ll see you at more of these gatherings.”
“Thanks. I hope so, too.” He chuckled.
“I should've warned you that my family can be embarrassing.” She sighed.
“Your family is great. I like them already, and any embarrassing thing they say about you will stay with me to the grave. What happens here stays here,” he promised, drawing an invisible zip across his lips. Tessa smiled appreciatively.
“I like you a lot,” she blurted before she could stop herself. Justin’s eyes widened in surprise. “I have to confess that when you told me about how you felt about me, I panicked, and it felt like a betrayal to Don to feel so strongly about you after he was the only man I’ve ever been with, loved. However, I can’t pretend anymore that I don’t have feelings for you, and I am saying yes to us dating.” She waited anxiously for him to say something. It felt like she was on pins and needles.
“You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.” His face broke out into a wide smile, and his gray eyes filled with affection as he looked down at her.
Tessa smiled. “If we’re going to do this, I need us to take it slow. I’ve never done this before,” she expressed.
“We’ll go as slow as you want. I’m just happy to know that you’re willing to try,” he returned. “Can I hold your hand?”
Tessa nodded, afraid her voice would come out as a croak as the butterflies swirled in her stomach. They teetered over each other the moment their hands made contact. She noticed several family members look their way and saw Kerry give her a thumbs-up. Her daughter mouthed that she was happy for her. And just like that, she exhaled.
“Mom, this is Beverly Barton and her grandson, Joshua,” Diane introduced her two guests to Tessa sometime later.
“Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you,” she greeted them.
“Your daughter is a remarkable woman,” Bev expressed.
“Indeed, she is,” Tessa agreed, turning her loving stare at her daughter.
“Hello, ma’am,” Joshua greeted her with a firm handshake. She liked him.
“Please call me Tessa,” she requested.
“Okay,” he agreed.
“I’m gonna take Bev to meet Grandma,” Diane informed her.
Tessa nodded her approval. She noticed that Joshua’s gaze followed them toward the porch. His gaze, she realized, was mainly on Diane.
“So, young man, tell me about yourself,” she requested.
His gaze moved from Diane to Tessa, and he offered her a polite smile. “I’m an Army captain, I love my job, and apart from that, I love my grandmother very much.”
“And you like my daughter.”
Joshua’s eyes widened in surprise before they shuttered. “Yes. I like her,” he confessed. “But we’re just friends. She just went through a breakup, and she’s vulnerable now. I don’t want to rush her into anything she isn’t ready for.”
Tessa nodded and smiled, impressed by the young man. “I admire your integrity. But a word of advice, don’t wait too long to let her know how you feel. As your grandmother said, she is a remarkable woman, and any man would be lucky to have her. Don’t waste time. Life is too short and unpredictable for that. Tell her how you feel soon.”
“Yes, ma’am. I will,” Joshua said, with a slight bow of his head.
Just then, she saw her father and mother standing on the porch.
“Can we have your attention, please?” Luke called out to the family. Everyone left what they were doing to gather in front of the porch.
