Tessa’s already roiling stomach took another plunge. She needed to get off this roller-coaster ride before her lunch ended up coming right back up.

Leo appeared like magic with more chairs and more plates, and everyone had a seat.

“This looks so sweet,” Vivienne said, snapping photos with her phone of everyone around the beautifully set table.

That was the thing with Viv. You’d better not chew with your mouth open because you just never knew when she was shooting a little video of you—sleeping, eating, or doing something else she could hold for ransom.

Tessa’s mother poured more wine, a sure way to soften everyone’s spirits…and taste buds.

“The wine is excellent,” Uncle Cosmo said.

“It’s good,” Leo’s dad said. “But Italian grapes are sweeter. Italian wine has been made for the past four thousand years. And Italy has the perfect climate for growing grapes.”

“Funny, Marco,” Tessa’s mother said, “but I wonder why it is that thirty-eight of the top fifty most expensive wines are from France.”

“Hi everyone,” Juliet said from her place with a little wave. “I just wanted to say that I’m a certified marriage counselor, and I want everyone to be aware of harsh lead-ins and defensive responses, okay?”

“We don’t know what you’re talking about,” Aunt Loretta said sweetly, “but it’s so nice to see all you Montgomery girls. You’ve all grown up so lovely.”

Just then, Noah and Jack appeared from around the corner of the building. “Vivienne told us about the big lunch,” Noah said. “We came to support you.”

Leo looked thrilled to see his friends. And Tessa knew that somehow there would always be enough pasta for all.

“We came for the free food,” Jack said, slapping Leo on the back. “Just kidding. Mostly. And to wish you well. Knock ’em dead, buddy.”

“Here, we brought you this,” Noah said, handing him a gift bag.

“What is it?” Leo asked. Tessa could already tell by its shape that it was a candle.

“It’s called Calm Breezes. Great for stress relief, like when this is all over.”

“Thanks, Noah,” Leo said. Juliet took the candle from the middle of the table and sniffed it as everyone dug into the fancy salads.

“How are you doing?” Leo whispered as he came around to clear the plates.

He was asking how she was doing? “I’m so nervous I can’t even taste my food,” she admitted.

“No, Tessa,” he said in a low voice, only to her. “You need to enjoy every single bite, no matter what happens. Because we worked really hard and it turned out…awesome. No matter what happens.”

Before she could respond, he gave her hand a little squeeze and then disappeared back into the restaurant.