Tessa nodded, stepping outside. In the little space between the two buildings, a blue vintage Corvette sat practically sparkling from the coats of wax Leo must regularly apply. His pride and joy, as everyone around town knew.

Fast cars, beautiful women. A bold plan that could lead them both to complete disaster. But at least Leo didn’t hide who he was like Sam had. Tessa had thought he’d been faithful and committed, only to find he’d been neither.

Tessa couldn’t help noticing the crumbling pavement, weeds taking advantage of the cracks. “Did you bring me back here because this is a great place to hide a body?”

Leo blushed. From embarrassment? Or because he really was planning on doing away with her? She hoped the former. “It’s…an underutilized space.”

Yes, it certainly was. She bit her tongue to not say that out loud.

“Once I get my dad on board, I’m going to turn this into an outdoor patio,” he said, looking around. “It’s going to be gorgeous.”

“Great,” she said. Old Tessa, the Tessa of yesterday, would have injected a whole lot of sarcasm into that word.

New Tessa was too nervous. And also, she realized, Leo was allowed to have his own vision. His own dreams. She respected that, even if she disliked the rest of him. And she wouldn’t mock him.

He didn’t seem to notice her mind wandering. “The patio is phase one of my reconstruction plan.”

Always with the plans. “What’s phase two?”

“I want to use that space between the buildings to expand the restaurant. Once I get people to start coming again, that is.”

“Yes. About that. Attracting customers.” She swallowed hard, forcing herself to set her sights on that little shop in her mind with black and white tile floors and a pink chandelier.

If she could just focus on that, she might get through this.

As he thoughtfully scratched the stubble on his cheek, his dark eyes seemed to peer deep inside of her. “The last time we spoke, I believe you were saying something about balls and vultures.”

“I was…hasty.”

He folded his big arms. “That right?”

She stabbed the air. “Just for the record, I’m not agreeing to this because you threatened me. I’m agreeing because I believe, as wild as it is, that your plan just might have a chance of working.”

And it was the only chance she had.

“But you are agreeing.” He tapped his chest, like he was mock-touched. “I’m glad you have so much faith in me.”

“Oh, I don’t have faith in you, and I also don’t trust you. But I’ll do what needs to be done. For our families.”

“You sound like you’re about to sacrifice yourself on the pyre.”