“Every single decision we make in life is scary because we basically have to guess whether it’s the right choice or not. There’s no magic crystal ball.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah. But that’s the fun in life, I guess,” she said. Gia rotated a little in her seat and caught a peek at the boy across the way, who looked quickly away. “And now I have a question for you.” Tessa tipped her head to the left. “Who’s that boy who’s been staring at you the whole time? He is cute.”

Gia looked up, turned red, and went back to pushing blueberries. “His name is Aaron.”

“He’s definitely checking you out.”

“I don’t want to make my life complicated before college.”

“Honey, life has a way of getting complicated no matter how hard we try to keep it simple.”

Like kissing Leo. And not being able to stop thinking about him.

“My two favorite women,” she heard someone say. Turning, she saw Leo standing at their table, reaching over to kiss her on the cheek with a big “MWUAH,” which made her chuckle at his silliness—and bring the memory of last night rushing back. She was relieved when he crossed the table to hug his sister. “You ready for farm adventures?”

“Can’t wait,” Gia said, eating the last bite of her breakfast.

“We’re going to learn all about growing different kinds of tomatoes.” He sat down next to Tessa, peeking into her almost-full coffee mug. “Do you mind?”

She pushed the coffee toward him, and he quickly downed it. Then started on her hot chocolate. Maybe someone else didn’t sleep so well, either.

“Hey, Gia,” someone said. Tessa looked up to see the boy from across the way, brave soul that he must be, standing at their table. He was tall and blond and tanned, and he had a nice smile. “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Castorini. I’m Aaron.”

Tessa nearly laughed aloud. Mr. and Mrs. Castorini?

But geez, that was actually who they were, wasn’t it?

Leo sat there, his thick brows knit down, apparently trying to look as threatening as possible.

Aaron seemed undaunted. “Can I ask you a homework question?” he asked Gia.

“A homework question?” she repeated, her cheeks coloring.

“Gia, we really should get going,” Leo said, impatiently checking his watch.

Tessa elbowed him under the table. But she was thinking of something else besides his bad manners.

At Gia’s age, Tessa might have said something to cut a boy off. Anger had made her cutting and quick around men. Anger at being stuck. At losing her choices.

It had grown and ballooned and…taken over. She didn’t want that to happen to Gia.