Table For Two: Barrington Billionaire's Series: Book Two by Jeannette Winters

to bury her tear-stricken face.
    “Son, I’m a peaceful man, but I won’t have you hurting my daughter. Now she said for you to go, so I suggest you go. When things cool down, I’m sure the two of you can continue this discussion, but right now, this is over.”
    Dean never let anyone tell him what to do. Claude on the other hand was only trying to protect Tessa, and he had to respect that. This was their home, and whatever he and Tessa had to say to each other was not meant to take place here.
    Without another word, Dean headed for the door. He turned and looked at Tessa one last time before leaving. This isn’t over, Tessa. This is just the beginning.
    “I’ll see you Monday, Tessa.” Then he closed the door behind him.

Chapter Eight

    T essa spent the rest of the weekend avoiding the topic of Dean entirely. She almost made it through Sunday night, but her mother wasn’t going to let her leave without sitting down for a mother-daughter talk. I should have seen this coming. Why didn’t I leave after lunch? Probably because I need you to tell me it’s going to be okay.
    “You might be judging him too hard, Tessa. Didn’t you say his father had passed recently, and he is trying to run this business on his own?”
    “Mom, that’s not the point. He suspected me of unethical behavior. You know me. I would never do such a thing. Never,” Tessa said seriously.
    Sharon patted Tessa’s hand. “Honey, I know that, and your father knows that. But these are things you learn about another person over time. Your relationship is still new and needs to grow.”
    Relationship? Oh Mom, if you only knew what really happened. What he thinks of me. “He’s my boss, Mom.”
    “Yet we came home last night to find you in his arms, kissing. I know my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, but you didn’t seem to mind too much either, if I may say so.”
    Damn, I forgot you saw that. “That’s not going to happen again, Mom. I probably don’t even have a job anymore.”
    “And what makes you think that?” Sharon asked.
    “I threw him out of your house.”
    Sharon laughed. “Oh dear. Did we shelter you that much? Don’t answer that. So you think this man is not interested in you as more than just an employee?”
    Tessa looked down at her hands folded in her lap. She didn’t want to think about Dean at all, never mind what he might or might not want with her. Her own emotions were already turning somersaults. Adding anymore was more than she could take. “Mom, can we change the subject? I need to get up really early in the morning if I want to make it back to Boston before rush hour traffic hits.”
    “So you’re going to work. Good.”
    “Mom, why do you think I still have a job?”
    Sharon smiled at her. “He did tell you he would see you on Monday. If he wanted to fire you, then he could have done that from Boston. There’s only one reason for him to drive hours to Denfield. And it has nothing to do with business.” She got up and continued, “But you’re right. Tomorrow you have a big day ahead of you. And I suggest you get up bright and early and get extra pretty before you go into the office.”
    Left alone with only her thoughts, her nerves took over. How was she going to face Dean when she couldn’t even face herself right now? Could her mother be right? Had Dean only come down to see her and not because he thought she had some involvement with Dax Marshall?
    Oh, I wish it was true. But Mom, you don’t know him like I do. He’s all business all the time. There was nothing wrong with that, but the way he ran the business was a problem.
    She turned off the lamp on her nightstand and pulled the blanket up around her neck. Sleep was desperately needed but, no different than the last two nights, it didn’t come easily or restfully. After hours of tossing and turning with her eyes burning from pure exhaustion, she finally faded off to sleep.
    Tessa made it into work much earlier than needed. Since she