Leo caught himself before he showed any surprise. But then he shrugged the comment off. He didn’t fall in love with anybody. He made sure of it. “I’m going to say this one time and only one time. I’m not interested in falling in love. I’m interested in saving my dad’s restaurant. And her family’s bakery. That’s it, plain and simple.” He walked over to the outdoor table. “Let’s smoke some stogies.”

On the patio, they sat drinking beers and blowing smoke rings into the air. The cigars tended to give Leo a headache, but it was a tradition they’d been carrying on together for years.

Cosette jumped up on Leo’s lap, which shocked the heck out of him. And not only because he didn’t immediately break out into hives.

As he stroked her back, she purred and settled in, gracing him with her presence, while Noah cut pieces of the dessert Tessa left for them.

“What is this thing?” Noah asked. “It’s like blueberry pie.”

“It’s called a galette,” Leo said, trying to pronounce it like Tessa had but failing.

“Is that Spanish?” Noah asked.

How could this man be in charge of an entire design department? “It’s a French fruit thing with a crust. Just taste it.”

“You know, Leo, there are benefits to being married,” Jack said as he bit into his piece. “For some people. Not myself, of course. But this is phenomenal.”

“That pizza was pretty awesome, too,” Noah said. “I really like Tessa. You could do a lot worse.”

“Who are you texting?” Jack asked Leo.

“Tessa. She’s all alone in the bakery. It’s getting late. Time for you losers to head home.” They needed to leave, and he needed to get a few things off his chest.

…

When Tessa approached the backyard a little later that evening, she smelled the lingering scent of tobacco smoke, making her wonder if guys’ night was still going on. She sort of hoped not, because she’d had a caramel sauce spill that made her feel sticky all over, and she couldn’t wait to take a shower.

“Hey, Tessa,” Noah said as she walked through the gate. He and Jack looked like they were saying their goodbyes. “The food was fabulous. Especially the dessert.” Noah gave Tessa a hug, fist-bumped Leo, and headed out.

“Thanks for making the food for us,” Jack said. “See you tomorrow, buddy.” He patted Leo on the back.

After they left, Leo held out the dessert plate. “One piece left,” he said. “Want it?”

“No, thanks,” she said, collecting dishes in a stack.

He took the plates out of her hand. “You’ve done enough for us. There’s pizza left over. Want me to bring you some?”