Tessa laughed but couldn’t help thinking that Sylvia was probably voicing what a lot of people thought—that she was way too practical or sensible to do such an outlandish, out-of-character thing.

But on a positive note, it was definitely an improvement over people feeling bad for her.

“Thanks, Mrs. Ortega.” She smiled brightly. “Leo is wonderful.”

She’d said that to go along with her fake marriage, but did part of her really believe it?

“You deserve every happiness. Congratulations!”

As Mrs. Ortega returned to her table, Tessa said, “I’m sorry, Gia. I didn’t mean for this to be an embarrassing brunch.”

Gia laughed. “I don’t mind that they’re saying you two had a whirlwind relationship,” Gia said. “True love is true love, right?”

Tessa dug her nails into her palms under the table. How could she possibly endorse a decision like that for a teenager? “Well, we have known each other a long time,” she hedged.

“Some time you’ll have to tell me how you fell in love with Leo. It’s so Romeo and Juliet.”

Tessa laughed. “I’d rather talk about you. Biomedical engineering, huh?”

“I love science,” she said. “And I want to make a difference.” Just then, Gia glanced up from her hot chocolate, noticing something beyond Tessa’s shoulder, then immediately looked down, her face coloring.

“What is it?” Tessa asked. “Do I need to turn around? More town busybodies on the way over?”

The color spread furiously over Gia’s face. “No. I mean, it’s just a boy from my class.”

Tessa leaned over and dropped her voice. “Is he cute?”

“No!” Gia looked up. “Maybe. A little.” She blew on her hot chocolate, making sure not to look up again. “You went to IU but lived at home, right?”

“Yes, I did,” Tessa said calmly, but her brain was going a mile a minute. She’d invited Gia to breakfast to get to know her better, but also because she couldn’t help comparing Gia to herself at her age. Leo had told her his worries about her decision to stay local for college, and she wanted to find out more.

“Well then, you won’t judge me.”

Tessa tapped her fingers on the table. “I think that wherever you go and whatever you do, you’ll be terrific at it because you work hard and have passion.”

“See?” Gia gave the table a little smack and sat back. “I knew you’d be on my side.”

“I am on your side,” Tessa said. She thought about her temporary marriage. About the dangers of advice-giving. About how maybe she should mind her own business.

Then she tossed all that to the wind. Because what if she could help Gia in a way that she hadn’t been able to help herself?