That left him with a little bit of hope that she was still seventeen and liked having fun. But where was that mischievous little sister of his? This one was way too serious.

That gave him more heartburn. Years ago, he’d taken his opportunity as the valedictorian of his high school class. Gone far away—taken all the scholarship money he’d gotten, plus the endowed candle factory scholarship that paid for room and board for a year, and ran, determined not to be tied down to this town. But maybe he should’ve been around more for Gia’s sake.

He took a bite of the melt-in-your-mouth cannoli. Now all he had to do was convince his dad that serving delectable desserts like this at their restaurant was a good idea. And convince Tessa to say yes.

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Turns out Tessa’s mother and grandmother came to work the next day, and Tessa had to listen to Juliet recreate her entire conversation with Jax again. And look a second time at rings on the Internet. Finally, everyone got back to work, but she couldn’t concentrate. She added too many eggs to the croissant dough and had to start over. And a bowl slipped out of her hands and shattered all over the floor.

“Is everything okay?” her mom asked.

“I—forgot to eat lunch, and I’m a little shaky. I’m going to run an errand. Be back in twenty, okay?”

She was shaking, but not from hunger, as she walked out of the shop into the bright noon sunshine and straight into Castorinis’ restaurant.

Being midday, no one was sitting in any of the booths. But she could hear the clinking of pots in the kitchen.

Leo’s Aunt Loretta clutched her chest and gasped.

“Um—hi,” Tessa said, trying to pretend she walked into this restaurant every day instead of almost never. “Is Leo here?” She swallowed. His Uncle Cosmo ran out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel, and halted abruptly on seeing Tessa. They both were looking at her like she’d sprouted an extra head or two.

“Leo,” Uncle Cosmo called. “Someone’s here to…see you.”

Leo walked out from the kitchen wearing a white apron, looking like a hot chef.

And now a hot, very surprised chef.

But he kept his cool. “Tessa,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“I—I came over to talk to you about…that thing.”

“That thing?”

Uncle Cosmo and Aunt Loretta exchanged glances.

“Yeah, you know. The business thing.”

Leo’s gaze flicked coolly from her to his family. “Uncle Cosmo, I’ve got the pasta sauce simmering. Can you check it?”

“Sure,” Uncle Cosmo said. “Sure thing, Leo.”

“I’ll help you,” Aunt Loretta said, scurrying after him.

Leo nodded toward the back door, then grabbed a bright blue folder off the counter. “Want to talk outside?”