I tapped the table. “I’ve got it. Lucifer.”
Tessa’s jaw fell open. “You didn’t.”
I grinned, but that smile soon morphed into a look of alarm. “Tessa, catch him!” The kitten had managed to unzip the bag and was about to make a break for it.
Tessa’s eyes widened, but her reflexes were quick. She caught him just as he leapt onto the table, cast in tow. “You’re going to get us in so much trouble.” She hurriedly stashed him back into the bag.
I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt but still trying desperately to keep as silent as possible so as not to draw attention. Tessa looked at me with an exasperated sigh. I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I think he’s named himself.”
Tessa’s lips twitched. “Oh, yeah, what?”
“Trouble.”
She glanced down at the kitten trying to paw open the bag. “I think you’re right.”
The remainder of lunch passed uneventfully. We chatted mostly about my music and her art. I learned that Tessa had never taken an art class beyond high school and was largely self-taught. I was careful with my questions, and she didn’t balk at any of them.Progress. It might not have been her life story, but Tessa was slowly letting me in, and it was the most precious gift I’d ever received.
We called our goodbyes to Nina as we left and climbed back into my SUV. I snuck glances at her as we drove. Tessa’s braid had fallen out, and her dark hair hung in loose waves, framing her face. Her creamy complexion and rosy cheeks just made her vibrant eyes stand out all the more. She was breathtaking.
I tore my gaze away from her, narrowly avoiding swerving into oncoming traffic.Shit. This woman was going to be the death of me.
I pulled to a stop behind The Tea Kettle, shutting off the car. “Can I help bring all the gear up to your apartment?”
Tessa stilled in the seat next to me. I knew this was asking a lot. No one else was here. Late in the day, the Kettle was dark and locked up tight. Allowing me into her space when no one else was around would be a huge show of trust on Tessa’s part. She stared down at Trouble, nibbling on her bottom lip. I gave her time. Let her process whatever she needed to go through to make her decision.
Tessa twisted the carrier strap between her fingers. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
I tried not to let my elation show too much, but really, I wanted to run circles around the car with my fists in the fucking air. “You’re welcome. I’ll grab the big stuff. Why don’t you just take Trouble and unlock the doors.”
Tessa nodded. She moved somewhat jerkily as if she weren’t used to the movements required to exit the vehicle and unlock the door. But I knew the truth. She was terrified. My smile fell as my chest constricted in a vicious spasm. I hated whoever had done this to her, forced her to live in such tremendous fear. I wanted to end whoever it was. Make them suffer as Tessa suffered.
I stared down at the pavement, clenching and unclenching my fists, trying to get my body to relax. Tessa picked up on everything, and if she got one whiff of the fury running through me, she would run for the hills. I took a few deep breaths, willing my tense muscles to release. I pictured Tessa with Phoenix, Tessa throwing the napkin at me, Tessa cuddling Trouble. It worked. My heart rate slowed, my body relaxed, and my breathing evened out.
I took hold of the cat climbing tree in the back of my SUV. Maybe I had gone a little overboard. One piece of this thing had to weigh fifty pounds. I started up the stairs and piled the items one by one just inside the door to Tessa’s studio apartment. When I brought the final items in, Tessa appeared from the kitchen.
Her hand shook as she gave me a glass of water. “I thought you might be thirsty.”
I took the drink from her hand, careful not to get too close. I knew I needed to play this just right. No sudden movements. No going in for a kiss or even a hug. I moved so that she had an open line to the door, and I saw her shoulders relax slightly.Fuck. I didn’t want this woman to be scared of me. Ever. I knew it was a reaction she couldn’t control, something ingrained in her over time or through trauma or both. It didn’t mean I had to like it. I fucking despised it.
I was careful to keep my expression neutral. “Thank you.”
Tessa nodded. “Thank you for everything you did. For me. For Trouble.” She glanced at the carrier sitting on her bed, then back to me. “Think I can let him out now?”
I grinned. “I think he’ll find a way out if you don’t.”
A small smile teased her lips, and she headed towards the bed. Tessa slowly unzipped the carrier and carefully lifted Trouble out. “This is your new home.” She nuzzled his tiny face. “You’re safe here.”
Trouble sniffed the air. Tessa cautiously set him down. She looked up at me. “Do you think he’ll be okay with his cast?”
I edged a step closer. “I think he’ll figure it out.”
Tessa released her hold on the kitten. Trouble wobbled at first, and Tessa braced to steady him if he needed it. Slowly, he found his footing and began to wander around the small apartment.
I finally took in Tessa’s space as we watched Trouble wander. She had made small efforts to make the apartment homey: a pitcher of flowers on the small kitchen table, a worn quilt on the bed. But there was very little stuff. Not much she couldn’t grab in a moment’s notice if she needed to. The thought had my gut tightening.
I would do anything to get her to stay.
21
