Chapter 12 - THE SISTER WHO FINALLY LET GO
Eli graduated from his college program in May.
Tessa sat in the front row.
She cried before his name was called.
Eli rolled his eyes when he spotted her.
Then smiled.
After the ceremony, he hugged her tightly.
“You did it,” she whispered.
He laughed.
“I did it.”
She pulled back.
“I'm proud of you.”
His eyes filled.
“Tess.”
“What?”
“I'm proud of you too.”
She stared.
He smiled.
“You kept us together.”
Tessa swallowed.
“I tried.”
“You did more than try.”
Later, Eli told her he'd accepted an internship.
It was part-time and designed to accommodate his medical appointments.
Tessa's first instinct was to ask whether he could manage it.
Then she stopped.
Eli noticed.
He smiled.
“Ask.”
She laughed.
“Are you sure you're ready?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Then I'm happy for you.”
That evening, Roman joined them for dinner.
Eli studied him carefully.
“You know I hated you at first.”
Roman nodded.
“Reasonable.”
“You scared my sister.”
“Yes.”
“You hurt her.”
Roman's expression grew serious.
“Yes.”
Eli leaned forward.
“Then why should I trust you?”
Roman looked at Tessa.
Then back at Eli.
“You shouldn't trust me because I say I've changed.”
Eli frowned.
Roman continued.
“You should judge me by what I do.”
Eli considered.
Then nodded.
“Fair.”
After dinner, Tessa walked Roman outside.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For not trying to impress him.”
Roman smiled.
“I was terrified.”
She laughed.
“Good.”
He looked at her.
“Tessa?”
“Yes?”
“Can I kiss you?”
Her heart quickened.
She studied him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
He leaned forward slowly.
She met him halfway.
May you like
And when they kissed, it wasn't because she owed him anything.
It was because she wanted to.
