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

back, her skin was moisturized and gave off the slightest scent of lavender, and she was dressed in a strapless, flowing black maxi dress. She was ready to see her love.
     
    Pulling her phone out of her purse, she sent a quick text to Nate asking him what he was doing. She didn’t want to contact him at all until she could see him, but finding him would be nearly impossible if she didn’t. He didn’t know she was in LA, of course, but if he told her where he was, she could figure out her next step. A moment later, he texted her back.
     
    “ Tessa! So good to hear from you! How are you? I’m eating an early dinner. We have a long night of shooting ahead.”
     
    “ Oh, cool. I’m doing good. Where are you eating?” she texted back, a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be free tonight. Nate probably was wondering why she kept pressing on the details, but so be it. He would know why soon enough.
     
    “ STK. So good – one of my faves. Wish you were here.”
     
    “ That would be nice, wouldn’t it?” she replied. Tessa let out a sigh of relief that it had been so easy to figure out where he was, and that he wished she was there.
     
    She immediately jumped into action and called for a cab. Flying down the elevator, she was pacing the lobby impatiently when the cab showed up five minutes later. The short ride to STK seemed too long to someone about to surprise her love after months had passed.
     
    When the car pulled up to the entrance, Tessa paid the driver and dashed out of the car. She fidgeted with her dress and smoothed her hair, making sure everything and every hair was in place. With shoulders squared in determination, she strode purposefully through the arched trellises, taking note of the numerous paparazzi hanging around the entrance. This must be a hot spot for celebrity sightings. Tessa kept forgetting that Nate was a celebrity. She hardly ever thought of him that way.
     
    Once inside the restaurant, she wasn’t quite sure what to do next. She clearly couldn’t walk up to the hostess station and ask where Nate was seated. They would never tell her, and it would look like something a crazy fan would do. She peered around, trying to be nonchalant as she figured out her next step.
     
    STK was dimly lit and cozy, exuding chic finesse and a seductive atmosphere. Tessa wasn’t surprised that a place like this was a celebrity favorite. Everything in the space screamed luxury.
     
    After a moment of pondering, Tessa decided to go to the bar, have a drink and hope that she would be able to spot Nate from there. Fate was on her side, though. On her way to the bar situated across the large room, she spotted him.
     
    Her heart leapt inside her chest before it took a quick spiral down into the pit of her stomach. Nate wasn’t alone. From her position, he was facing her, talking to a blonde seated across from him. He didn’t see Tessa, but Tessa had a front-row view as the blonde reached across the table to hold Nate’s hand as Nate smiled and nodded.
     
    Frozen where she stood, Tessa willed herself to spin around and hurry out of the restaurant before Nate could see her. But, it was too late. Just as she was turning to leave, Nate caught sight of her. Surprise registered on his face.
     
    “Tessa!” he called out and jumped up from his seat. Tessa shook her head at him and hurried outside. She didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say. Clearly, Nate had moved on. She’d seen it with her own eyes.
     
    What made it worse, Nate had just said that he’d wished she was there. Tessa wasn’t about to rekindle anything with someone else’s man. On top of that, Nate wasn’t being true to this blonde girlfriend of his. Tessa would have been livid if she found out her boyfriend was texting another girl while on a date with her.
     
    Poor girl. Her problem though, not mine, she thought sadly. With heavy steps, Tessa walked back through the lovely arches. Midway down the walk, the paparazzi jumped into