Tessa in Love by Kate Le Vann Read Free Book Online

Lvs Matilda tree and he traced their names with his finger.
    ‘Wanton vandalism of nature’s beautiful design,’ he said, and I looked at him in disbelief, and then realised he was joking.
    ‘It lasted longer than their love affair,’ I said, and thought to myself, but not longer than James’s love, because that was strangely comforting.
    ‘Yeah, she’s going out with that . . . well, it doesn’t matter,’ Wolfie said.
    ‘I get the feeling you don’t get on with Lee,’ I said. They were in the same year, so I guessed they knew each other. I couldn’t believe I was talking to Wolfie in this relaxed, unguarded way.
    ‘He’s your friend’s boyfriend,’ Wolfie said. ‘It wouldn’t be very sensible for me to talk about him.’
    ‘I’m not going to tell him,’ I said.
    ‘I mean, because you’ll think less of me,’ he said.
    ‘But that’s not true!’ I said. ‘I’m not Lee’s number one fan myself.’
    ‘Even so . . .’ he said.
    ‘Well, you’re right. I shouldn’t bitch about my best friend’s boyfriend to someone I hardly know.’
    ‘Well, I’d like to think you think you know me a bit now,’ Wolfie said. ‘This is very nearly a date.’ I didn’t let myself believe he meant it.
    ‘Except you don’t fancy me,’ I said, sounding exactly as I’d promised myself I wouldn’t.
    ‘Is that right?’ Wolfie said.
    ‘Well, obviously,’ I said. ‘I mean, you fancy Lara, right?’
    ‘Do I?’
    ‘And even if you didn’t, why . . .’ His face was now close to mine and I had to stop talking because I was confused and nervous. ‘But yesterday . . .’
    ‘Yesterday I had more self-control,’ he said, ‘and I didn’t want you to think I was, you know, like, “Come into the woods with me, I’ll show you some ... wildlife”. I’m serious about this article, and it’s not about trying to . . . and I didn’t know how you felt . . . but today I’ve listened to you telling stories that make you even sweeter, and look at you through a lens that shows me how beautiful you are, and I’m losing the fight.’ I leaned back against Matty’s tree, my hands tucked behind me, and Wolfie rested his arm on the trunk above me. ‘Am I... if I’m barking up the wrong tree ...’ and we both held our breath hoping the bad pun wouldn’t break the spell,’. . . you have to let me know now.’
    ‘You’re not,’ I whispered. He kissed me. His lips were so soft, I felt dizzy, and when I opened my eyes, he was still there.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
    ‘Why?’ I said.
    ‘You must think I’m a creep. Tessa, I swear I didn’t plan this. I didn’t bring you here to make a move.’
    ‘Shhh,’ I said, and kissed him back.

M y dad had changed out of his suit into the Simpsons T-shirt I’d bought him for his birthday, and was coming downstairs at the moment Matty came in.
    ‘Matilda,’ he said. ‘If I’d been told you were coming round I’d have worn something more fashionable.’ My dad loved Matty because she talked to him like they were both adults. Everyone else our age was monosyllabic and shy with parents, and I was no exception, but Matty was always Matty – no one rattled her.
    ‘Fashion fades, Bob. Style never does,’ Matty said. I knew that I would never be old enough to talk like Matty.
    ‘It takes someone with style to know that,’ Dad said. ‘Are you here to steal my broadband?’
    ‘I am here,’ Matty said haughtily, ‘to do coursework with Tessa.’
    ‘Course you are,’ Dad said. ‘Let us know if you need coffee, tea, food, hard liquor . . . ’
    ‘The forty Bensons I’ve got in my bag should keep us going, thanks,’ Matty said.
    ‘Good,’ Dad said. Til leave you to it.’
    ‘Has he e-mailed yet?’ Matty said, when the door to the den was closed.
    ‘He e-mailed as soon as he got in yesterday, but I only saw it today when I got in.’
    ‘Show me?’
    I found the e-mail.
    From: [email protected]
    To: [email protected]
    Subject: …
    Tessa
    Wow.