Chapter 25

We drove straight over to the restaurant which was in the heart of town. Tessa informed the hostess that she was a friend of Chef Andre’ and he was expecting us. We were shown to a table in the rear of the room that had a reserved sign on it. I couldn’t help but notice all the men eyeing up Tessa as she passed them. I went to the table and held out a chair for Tessa to slide in to. I then walked around and sat down across from her.

“You do know every woman in this place is eyeing you up huh?” Tessa mentioned.

“I’ll be honest with you, I don’t even notice that anymore. Ever since I started lifting and gained weight the stares always came.” I replied.

Just about that time, a nice-looking man in a white chef’s jacket came from the back and walked over to our table. He leaned over and kissed Tessa on the cheek then moved over to greet me. I stood up and extending my hand to him.

“I’m Andre Millon, this is my place.” he said smiling.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Chris Williams.” I replied.

“So exactly how did you get Dr. Williamson to go on a date with you?” he asked.

“Oh, well I don’t think it’s a date, but she asked me sort of?” I responded.

“She’s the best Chris, she operated on my oldest son. I owe her the world.” he said.

“Stop Andre, I did my job. But I love you too.” she laughed.

He had a special pasta Alfredo dish with veal that was the night’s special so we both agreed to that. Tessa ordered two glasses of red wine by name which saved me the trouble because I knew nothing about wine. He left and told us the meal would be ready in about twenty minutes.

Tessa wasted no time getting to the reason for this dinner. She wanted to know all about my past with Lexie Thomas. So, I started from the first time I met Lexie when she took me in to the precinct. I told her about my mother being killed and how I reacted. I told her that Lexie’s problem with me was the fighting although I rarely ever initiated one.

I mentioned about being bullied in high school and that was the reason I started lifting weights. I mentioned about our on and off again relationship and how she broke the engagement that night at my home when the detectives were questioning me. I did mention that I dated Chrissy Haynes for a very short period but that I caught her with her old boyfriend.

“So, you’re the one who stopped and helped the female police officer that night on the highway.” Tessa asked wide eyed.

“Yes, that was me.” I admitted.

“I was in the emergency room the night they brought her in although I was not the attending.” Tessa admitted.

“That sequence of events happened so fast I can barely even remember it anymore.” I said.

“Well, I am not surprised that Lexie Thomas went after you. Lexie was a year ahead of me in high school but was one of the most popular girls in school. Once she set her eyes on a boy that she wanted it was all or nothing. She broke up many couples in high school with her foolishness. By the time she graduated Lexie and Cody were the school joke.” Tessa stated.

“I believe they are still together but still off and on.” I replied.

“That does not surprise me. Lexie actually stole my boyfriend from me her senior year. We had dated from the eighth grade on, but he fell for it. They dated about a month or so then she dumped him. He tried to come back but my parents made sure I understood that I should choose a man that put me above all others and never lie to me.” she stated.

“Sounds like good advice.” I replied.

Then Tessa began to tell me her life story and what had led her to this point in life. She was an only child of successful parents who pushed her to be the very best. Tessa’s father was the administrator of Methodist Memorial and her mother a banker. Tessa spent a lot of summers in the hospital growing up and was always drawn to the pediatric wing. So, when the time came, she went to college and medical school to become a pediatric surgeon. Tessa had accomplished quite a lot being she just turned twenty-nine years of age. She admitted that she loved her career and couldn’t see herself doing anything else. The hours were long and brutal, but the rewards were dealing with the little children.

Tessa admitted that her parents were very overprotective but a lot of that came with being an only child. Tessa admitted that the few boys she had brought home after her first boyfriend did not fare well with her father. She admitted he was an excellent administrator and could spot bullshit a mile away.

The rest of the meal went smoothly and after spending a few hours with Tessa, I felt very comfortable. She was beautiful, intelligent and told you exactly what she thought. I felt that she probably took charge in a relationship but being a surgeon I’m sure she had to be to make critical decisions fast. We left the restaurant around nine o’clock and she suggested we go to a coffee shop close to her condo.

We stayed at Starbucks for close to an hour and a half talking about the past. By the time we left we pretty much had caught up on each other’s past. I drove back to Tessa’s condo and walked her up the stairs. She turned and faced me with a huge smile on her face.

“Chris, you’re a good guy and I really enjoyed tonight. You’re very easy to talk to and very attentive as well. You’re a rare breed in today’s world.” she stated.

“Thank you, Tessa, I enjoyed tonight as well.” I replied.

“Look, my parents cook lunch every Sunday and the immediate family all get together. I would like you to join me tomorrow, but I understand if you can’t.” she said softly.

“Oh, I guess I could ... are you sure your family would be ok with that?” I asked.

“My parents know about you and how you have helped me over the last few months. But no, they won’t mind.” she answered.

“Ok then, I’ll pick you tomorrow at what time?” I inquired.

“Eleven thirty.” she answered.

“I’ll be here.” I replied.

Tessa took one step forward and lean up to kiss me. She gently pressed her lips against mine for a very soft moist kiss. It did not last long but I could have sworn I felt the tip of her tongue briefly. She stepped back and opened the door and went in.

I drove straight home and took a shower then jumped into bed. I laid there thinking about Tessa kissing me and what it meant. Up until that moment she had given me no clue that she might be interested in a relationship.

I slept late the next morning which was unusual for me. Since it was already after nine o’clock in the morning, I decided not to go to the gym and work out. I called Amber and made sure everything was ok and told her I probably wouldn’t be in today.

Something around ten-thirty, Tessa sent me a text telling me to bring a bathing suit in case I wanted to swim in the pool. I left my house around ten after eleven and drove over to Tessa’s condo. She was waiting for me and came down immediately. She was wearing a tight pair of jeans and a white tank top. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail and had white sneakers on. I opened the passenger door and Tessa slid into the seat.

We drove across town to the Colonial Trace gated subdivision. This was an exclusive gated community which had homes well worth over one million dollars. Tessa had mentioned that her father was the hospital administrator and her mother a bank vice-president.

Tessa guided me through the subdivision until we pulled up in front of a huge two-story home on a large lot. There were several cars in the driveway, so I parked in front on the home on the street. I walked around and let Tessa out and followed her up the walkway to the front door. She opened the door and I followed her in and down a long hallway that opened up to a huge family room. It was obvious that Tessa’s parents made good living. There were three men and one woman in the room sitting on the two sectional sofas. As soon as I entered the room everyone became extremely quiet which was always made me feel a little unsure. Tessa grabbed my hand and led me around the sofa up to a man that had just gotten up.

“Dad, I would like for you to meet Chris Williams, my trainer. Chris this is my dad, Bill Williamson.” Tessa stated.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” I said shaking his hand.

“My pleasure son ... Tessa you weren’t lying when you said he was big.” Bill laughed.

She then introduced to her uncle and grandparents that were also seated on the sofa. Tessa then grabbed my hand and led me to the kitchen where an attractive lady was cooking over the stove.

“Hey mom, this is Chris Williams. Chris, this is my mom, Beth Williamson.” Tessa said.

“Nice to meet you ma’am.” I replied softly shaking her hand.

“Chris, I’m going to help my mom before the rest get here. You can go back in the den and hang out if you don’t mind.” Tessa instructed me.

I walked back into the den and around one of the sofa’s and sat down on one of the ends. If Tessa’s dad was as protective as she claimed the questions had to start soon. Sure enough, he was right on cue.

“So Chris, how did you meet Tessa?” he asked, right away.

“She actually came into my gym and asked me to train her in a one-on-one situation.” I replied.

“Your gym?” he shot back.

“Yes sir, I bought it about a year or so ago.” I answered.

“I see ... Well, you must be good at what you do. The results you had with Tessa are amazing.” he stated.

“Not really sir. Tessa put in the hard work ... she is really motivated.” I replied.

“Tessa never mentioned that the two of you are seeing each other.” he said, definitely prying.

“Oh, ... I don’t think we are seeing each other sir. She took me to dinner last night as a thank you for helping her train. Then she asked me to join her here today. But we have never really been out on a date.” I responded.

“Dad, tell him please.” Bill laughed.

“Son, when a girl brings you home to meet her family she is interested.” the older man said.

I just sat and listened to the conversation for a while then several more guests arrived. They were either aunts or uncles of Tessa and I was introduced to everyone. The problem I have always had being introduced to new people is my size. I was comfortable in the gym it was my environment. But at gatherings like this I always felt somewhat uneasy.

Thankfully Tessa and her mother invited everyone to the glass sunroom which was huge. The food was brought out and Tessa showed me where to sit. I sat down where Tessa showed me and soon realized I was between her and her mother which surprised me.

The meal was grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes and three different vegetables. Tessa fixed me a plate and poured me a glass of iced tea. Tessa’s mom Beth came around the table and sat down next to me.

“Tessa, thank you for sitting the best-looking man at the table next to me.” Beth laughed.

“Mom...” Tessa protested.

“Uh honey ... you do know I right here, right?” Bill Williamson said in a dry tone.

“I know exactly where you are dear.” she quickly shot back causing everyone at the table to laugh.

Tessa’s mom was a very good cook and the meal was excellent. As people were finishing up with the meal the conversation eventually became about me.

“So Chris, what family do you have here.” Bill asked.

“No one sir.” I answered.

“Where is your family?’’, he asked.

“My father died when I was almost seven years old. Then my mother was killed a few years back for no reason really. I’m an only child so no brothers or sisters. I have one aunt that lives in another state.” I explained.

“Oh Chris, I’m so sorry.” Beth remarked.

“It’s ok, you didn’t know.” I replied.

“Wait, so that was your mother that was killed at the convenience store a while back?” Bill asked.

“Yes sir.” I replied.

“Who did it?” he asked.

“Some people who bullied me through high school. They came across my mother at the store and started messing with her. Josh Klein tried to grab her, she slipped and fell hitting her head on the dumpster. She died almost immediately. Most of them got probation, but Klein for four years but was out in twenty-three months.” I answered.

“Must have been hard on you.” Bill replied.

“Yes sir. In fact, it still is.” I responded.

Thankfully the conversation changed and the issue dropped for the time being. Everyone finished up and Tessa, Beth and one of the aunts cleaned everything up. I was sitting at the table with Tessa’s father and grandfather when Tessa came back in the room.

“Hey Chris, you want to go swimming?” she asked.

“I don’t know ... Do I?” I asked.

“Yea, I’m sure you do.” Tessa giggled.

I got up and went out to my car and got my swim trunks then changed in the bathroom. I went back out and sat back down at the table. Several minutes later, Tessa appeared in a red bikini with a red lace coverup. I followed her out of the door and around the pool to the lounge chairs where she removed her coverup. I took my t-shirt off and followed her to the entry stairs to the pool. Tessa’s thighs were incredible and her ass was spectacular. Her body fat was incredibly low probably below twenty percent. Tessa had a tiny waist, flat stomach and incredible hips. Everyone in the sunroom was apparently watching her as she entered the pool.

We swam around for a while then took a seat on one of the benches carved into the side of the pool. Tessa seemed extremely happy and I was simply awestruck of her beauty. About an hour later we both got out of the pool and got dressed. By that time, everyone had left and we were alone with Tessa’s parents. It was sometime before six when Tessa got a call from the hospital. Apparently, a small child had been involved in a car accident and was in critical condition. We left right away and I dropped Tessa off at her condo and went home.

I had just gotten into bed when Tessa called and said the child was out of surgery, but she was in serious condition. The child and her parents were hit head on by a drunk driver. The parents died instantly and the grandmother was in critical condition. The child had both legs broken, a fractured arm and a broken wrist. She also had fractured ribs and a slight laceration to the spleen. The child was in ICU and Tessa would remain all night monitoring the child along with several other doctors.

I woke up the next morning and went to the gym early and got my work out in. I showered and changed and then called Tessa at about eight thirty. She informed me that the grandmother had died over the night, but the baby was doing slightly better but still in critical condition. Tessa had been sitting with her the entire night. She informed me that she was going home and get some sleep then return early afternoon. She told me she would catch up with me later in the day.

I left the gym about five o’clock that evening and went straight home. I had just gotten out of the shower and sat down on the sofa turning on the television. My cell phone rang and I picked it up to see it was Tessa.

“Hey Chris, would you mind if I came by for a little while. I need someone to talk to. It been a rough two days.” she said, his voice shaking.

“Sure Tessa, come on over.” I replied.