Big Love in a Small Town (Contemporary Romance) by Kate Goldman Page B

hours later, Tessa opened the door and beamed happily at him.
     
    “Hello, Davis,” she greeted him warmly. His eyebrows rose in surprise.
     
    “Hi there, Tessa,” he replied as he leaned in to give her a hug and a lingering kiss on the cheek.
     
    “Do you want something to drink?” she asked, leading him inside.
     
    “What are my options?”
     
    “I have wine, tea and coffee.”
     
    “Tea is fine – as long as it’s sweet,” he said, winking.
     
    “Of course it’s sweet, we’re in the South,” she said with a playful pat on his arm. She’d forgotten how easily conversation flowed for them.
     
    Davis took a seat on the sofa while Tessa poured glasses of sweet tea.
     
    “Tessa, I think things are looking amazing for our future in Nashville. You are the epitome of a Southern belle, who happens to be an incredibly talented writer, and you know what I can do with a guitar. We’ll be the perfect songwriting pair,” he told her when she’d sat down beside him.
     
    Tessa nearly spit out the tea she’d just sipped.
     
    “Songwriting? Davis, I’ve never written a song. Ever. You know I don’t write songs.”
     
    “Why can’t you? They’re a lot shorter than what you normally write.”
     
    “Are you kidding me? There’s a certain musicality and rhythm that’s needed to write songs. I wish I had that, but I don’t.”
     
    “Well, maybe with practice, it’ll come. Never mind that, let me just tell you how glad I am that you asked me over tonight,” he said, putting his arm around Tessa and scooting her closer to him.
     
    “I thought I owed it to the two of us, and our history, to attempt reconciling, but I’ve got to be honest – I’m not ready to say, ‘Hey, my bags are packed,’ however, I am willing to try the long-distance thing,” she explained. Tessa didn’t want to beat around the bush any longer than necessary. She figured it was best to go ahead and shoot straight with Davis.
     
    “Tessa, you know how I feel about long-distance relationships. They never end well. But, I want to be with you. What’s keeping you here?” Davis wasn’t happy. His brow was furrowed and he wore a pouty expression.
     
    “This is my hometown. It’s familiar. I know people. And to be clear, I never said I wouldn’t move. If you would have asked me to go with you when you originally left, I would have gone and never looked back, but you didn’t.
     
    “I think we need to see where this goes – I’m not sure if we even feel the same way about each other, and I’m not agreeing to move anywhere without being absolutely certain that you’re in it for the long haul.”
     
    “I can’t believe you don’t think I’m willing to make a long-term commitment to you. Seven years, Tessa! We were together seven years!” Davis said heatedly.
     
    “I know that, Davis. But in those seven years, you cheated on me twice and just two months ago, you broke up with me and moved in with your band, which included a very hot girl. So don’t go there and try to play that card,” Tessa said, her own cheeks flaming.
     
    Davis inhaled sharply as he closed his eyes. “Okay, you’re right. Maybe I’m rushing things. I guess I figured I know now what it’s like to be without you, and I don’t ever want to go through that again.”
     
    Tessa put her hand on top of his. “That’s very sweet. I appreciate your honesty – it means more than anything else. But, I’m still not moving to Nashville right now.”
     
    “Okay, I understand. We can try the long-distance thing and see what happens,” he said with a reluctant but willing smile.
     
    Tessa smiled in response. It was a start.
     
    Davis leaned in to kiss her and Tessa tilted her chin to meet his lips. The kiss was nice and familiar, but it wasn’t anything like the hot sparks and burning fire she felt every time Nate kissed her.
     
    Ugh! Get a grip, girl! Stop thinking about Nate. Just stop it! She wasn’t sure whether she would ever be