Tessa

Tessa nearly tripped over Moose in her rush to get downstairs.

She burst into The Nook like a whirlwind, setting off the little brass bell above the door, and immediately spotted Lucy wiping down a table near the window.

Lucy looked up — and the second she saw Tessa’s face, she dropped the cloth and pointed a finger at her.

“You have a date,” she said triumphantly.

Tessa skidded to a stop in front of her, breathless and beaming.
“I have a date.”

Lucy whooped and threw her arms around her, spinning her in a quick circle that made Moose bark excitedly.

“When? Where? What are you wearing?” Lucy demanded, pulling back to assess her like a general prepping for battle.

Tessa laughed, heart still racing. “Friday night. No idea where. And I have no clue what I’m wearing!”

Lucy grinned wickedly. “Well, that’s what I’m here for.”

Tessa didn’t have a chance to protest.
Lucy was already untying her apron and grabbing her purse.
“We’re going shopping,” she said, steering Tessa toward the door. “Stat.”

“But what about the café?” Tessa asked, half-laughing, half-protesting as she was shoved outside.

Lucy waved a hand.
“Miles can cover it. Besides, this is way more important.”

---

Graham

Meanwhile, upstairs, Graham Carter was pacing.

Which he did not do.

He didn’t pace.
He didn’t fidget.

But here he was, crossing the same ten feet of his office over and over again, his phone still warm in his hand from the text he’d sent.

Miles leaned against the doorway, sipping coffee and looking endlessly amused.

“You good there, bud?”

Graham shot him a glare. “I asked her.”

Miles clapped once, mock-solemn. “Historic moment. Should we alert the press?”

Graham ignored him, running a hand down his face.

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do on a date anymore,” he muttered.

“You eat. You talk. You pretend you’re not hopelessly into her,” Miles said helpfully.
He grinned wider when Graham scowled.
“Relax, Carter. It’s Tessa. You already like her. She already likes you.”

Graham exhaled, the tension easing slightly.

Miles sipped his coffee, adding casually, “And if you mess it up, Lucy will kill you, so no pressure.”

Graham smirked despite himself.
“Great. Exactly what I needed to hear.”

---

Tessa

Two hours later, Tessa stood in front of a mirror in a tiny boutique dressing room, staring at herself.

Lucy had insisted on the dress: a soft, flowy sundress in a pale blue that somehow made her eyes look brighter, her skin glow.

It wasn’t fussy.
It wasn’t trying too hard.

It was just…her.
But maybe a slightly braver, dreamier version of her.

Tessa turned, the skirt swishing around her knees, and smiled.

Lucy peeked through the curtain.
“Oh, you’re definitely wearing that,” she said, approving immediately.

Tessa smoothed her hands over the fabric, heart fluttering.
“Do you really think he’ll like it?”

Lucy came inside, adjusting the neckline slightly and fixing a loose strand of hair behind Tessa’s ear.

“Honey,” Lucy said, meeting her eyes in the mirror, “he already likes you.
This is just icing.”

Tessa felt something tight and hopeful unfurl inside her chest.

Maybe, for once, she didn’t have to guard herself so much.
Maybe she could just…fall.

And maybe Graham Carter would catch her.