Joseph’s POVTessa stared at me wide-eyed when she realized I was standing behind her. I had her purse clutched in my fist and my eyes never left her as she slowly turned to face me.She got an incredible job offer this morning and she didn’t bother to tell me. It was clear to me that she was afraid to tell me out of fear that I wouldn’t want to move to New York. In reality, New York was only an hour's drive from the mountains my tribe resided in, so, I would be able to commute if necessary.“I’m going to the auditorium,” Ruby whispered to Tessa, unaware that I could hear her clearly as if she was standing right beside me. “I’ll see you in there.”She put a reassuring hand on Tessa’s shoulder before shutting her locker door and heading toward the auditorium.Tessa stood frozen.“How much of that did you hear?” Tessa finally asked, nervousness clear in her tone.“All of it,” was all I could think to say.She sighed and lowered her gaze.“I didn’t want you to find out like that…”“About
Tessa’s POV“I apologize for the interruption. Please continue,” Joseph said softly as he made his way to his seat.Dean Miller didn’t look pleased. He just scowled at Joseph and then motioned for Hannah to continue.My eyes briefly met my father's who I noticed was visibly tense now that Joseph was in view. I wasn’t surprised by that. Penny had placed a hand on his biceps to calm him.Hannah cleared her throat and then she started her speech. I wasn’t listening to what she was saying though; I was more focused on Joseph as he made his way to the faculty seating and sat beside Miss Emily.Joseph and I had been through a lot this past month, so I shouldn’t still be insecure and jealous of Miss Emily. I knew she liked him from the minute he showed up at this school, and I knew he didn’t like her in return. At least not like that. She was his friend and nothing more. But something about him sitting so close to her left an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach.I was not too fond of
Tessa’s POV“Tessa, can we speak in my office?” Dean Miller asked as soon as I left the auditorium.I had a bad feeling about this conversation; I wondered what he wanted to talk about it. But when his eyes found Joseph’s behind me and he said, “You too, Professor Evergreen,” it felt like my whole world was coming in around me.Ruby gave my arm a gentle squeeze and then she smiled at me.“I’ll catch you later, Tess,” she said, hugging me tightly. “I’m going to try to call my parents… again.”“Good luck,” I said, hugging her back. “I’ll see you at the after-party.”“You bet,” she said, waving.We followed Dean Miller to his office across the campus.There was still no sign of my father and Penny, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this was related.“Please, take a seat,” Dean Miller instructed, motioning for the chairs in front of his desk.“What’s this all about?” Joseph asked, furrowing his brows together as we sat.“Your relationship with Tessa has already been established. There’s n
Tessa’s POVI was unprepared for all Joseph had done to make sure this party was a huge hit. Moments after he left, a few people arrived with an entire DJ set and my mouth nearly hit the ground.“You’re Michael Allister,” I said with a gaping mouth.It wasn’t a question, but his smile grew, and he nodded.Michael Allister was one of the best DJs in the city. Everybody who was everybody was able to book him for their parties. I was never able to get him personally, but Brian has in the past. I never spoke to him though and I was starstruck seeing him standing before me.I shouldn’t have been surprised that Joseph was able to book him so easily.“Where should I set up my equipment?” He asked, looking around the huge house.“The back patio,” I said without hesitation. “I’m assuming most will spend their time outside.”It was around 90 degrees outside, and it was only getting hotter by the second. I did not doubt in my mind that most would be utilizing the pool and hot tub. That seemed to
Tessa’s POVJoseph’s body stilled and then he grabbed my arm and pulled me along with him until we reached the inside of his house. Most everybody was outside, so there was more privacy inside. There were a few people who took up residency on the couch in the living room and they seemed to be face-deep in a make-out session.I grimaced at the sight of it.“Ew,” I said, loud enough to get their attention. “No one wants to see that shit.”They pulled apart and glared up at me. I just stuck out my tongue.Joseph pulled me along with him until we were in the kitchen.“Don’t be a party pooper, Joseph,” I slurred, leaning against the counter for support once he released me. “I’m just having fun.”“I left you alone for a few hours and you went ahead and got drunk,” Joseph muttered, shaking his head with disappointment clear on his face. “I didn’t think that was your plan for the evening.”“You are so hot when you’re mad,” I pointed out, looking at the crease forming on his forehead. “My boyf
Tessa’s POVI fell to the ground with Joseph, tears falling rapidly out of my eyes. I couldn’t seem to stop sobbing; I knew I was a blubbering mess, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t believe that Joseph was actually proposing to me. This was something I hadn’t been expecting and my heart was overfilled with all the love and admiration he was giving me.He ran his fingers down the side of my face, cupping my chin in his hands and steadying my gaze so I would look at him. I could see concern and a bit of nervousness in his misty eyes.It was adorable.I wrapped my arms around him and sobbed, unable to let him go. He held me back and we stayed like that for a long while. The sound of the music and the partiers were drowned out as I continued to cry and bask in the warmth and comfort of this man.I pulled away slightly to look into his eyes once the sobbing subsided and I crashed my lips into his, kissing him with so much passion and hunger, I thought my heart was going to explode. Our tongue
Tessa’s POVI woke up late in the morning, reaching for Joseph beside me, wanting to snuggle close to him. But when I was met with a fist full of sheets and no Joseph, I opened my eyes, confused.He wasn’t in bed.I was still completely naked, and my body was still warm from his touch. My body tingled from the memory of last night and my cheeks flared. I quickly looked at my hand, double-checking to make sure it wasn’t a dream.When I saw the beautiful diamond ring taking occupancy on my hand, I let out a breath of relief and squealed to myself. This was real. I was marrying Joseph. I was going to be his wife.I slid out of bed and grabbed my dress off the ground. I slipped it over my body, covering myself in case people were still there. I wondered how the rest of the party went; I felt bad that I missed it and left Ruby by herself last night.I grabbed my phone and saw that I had a missed call from my father and my stomach tightened. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I ignored the m
Tessa’s POVI didn’t leave for my father’s farm until the next morning. I spent the entire day cleaning alongside the cleaners Joseph hired, to keep my mind off everything. Joseph called me when he got to the mountains, and we talked for a long while that night.I thought about telling him how I was going to my father’s farm to tell him in person that we were getting married. But I decided against it, not wanting to worry him while he was so far away and busy with vampire work stuff.I did, however, text Ruby and told her of my plans, she responded with the “thinking” emoji and then added, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”Me: He’s my dad, Ruby. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him while he was here, and I wanted to tell him about my engagement. I’ll be back on Monday.Ruby: Okay, but text me periodically so I know you are still alive.Me: What do you think is going to happen? He’s my father. He would never hurt me. Not like that. You don’t have to worry.I shoved my phone into my po