“Sure.” She left him to get the glasses.

Leo reached into the cabinet for a bottle. While he was waiting for her, he flipped through the mail pile.

And spied something that made his heart skip a beat.

A business envelope. With a Chicago address.

His heart nearly stopped. Closer inspection confirmed what he already knew.

The pastry school.

A million emotions flooded him. The sense of celebration that had pervaded the evening seemed to hold its breath.

What if she didn’t get in?

What if she did?

“Tessa,” Leo called, “I—I think you might want to come over here.”

He thought about waiting until tomorrow to tell her. Of ignoring it just for a few more hours. But that really wasn’t his decision, was it?

Tessa kicked off her flip-flops and walked over to where he’d been about to pour their wine. Cosette hopped up on a barstool and purred softly until Tessa scooped her in her arms and kissed her head, saying, “Hi, Cosey. We’ve had quite a day!”

She finally noticed the envelope in his hands. “I’m sorry about the mail pile,” she said as she released the cat, who, judging by the way she sprung out of Tessa’s arms, had had enough love for now. “I know you like things tidy. I was just so busy—”

“Tessa, darling, I didn’t call you over here to chide you about not sorting the mail.”

She gave him a funny look. “You’re acting weird. What is it?”

He dropped his eyes to the mail. “See for yourself.”

She looked at the envelope, her eyes widening when she saw the return address. She gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth.

He poured them both a glass, feeling that he for sure needed some wine right about now. But he kept his tone optimistic. “To the future,” he said, handing her one. “Go for it.”

She looked at him solemnly. “What if it’s a rejection? This might be my only chance.”

He seemed to consider that. “Come on. Just raise your glass.” He waved his wineglass toward hers to encourage her to pick it up.

She lifted it with shaking hands and clinked glasses, then took a big gulp. “Leo, I—” She closed her eyes. “I guess I’m a little afraid.” She paused. “Make that a lot afraid.”

“Afraid is good.” She looked like she was trying to believe him but wasn’t quite getting there.

“And what if I got in? Everything will change.”

Yes. That was exactly what he was worried about. “Change is good,” he said with his best smile. “Open it.”

At least, he hoped it was.

…

Tessa shook the envelope. Then she walked over to Leo’s desk and held it up to the little lamp on top.

“What are you doing?” Leo walked up beside her and squinted into the light. “Wow, you’ve got quite the tremor there.”