As Blake settled into the chair, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled over him. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath his feet, leaving him stranded in a sea of uncertainty. How could Tessa know about his past with Rose Shelly? And what did she want from him?
Meanwhile, Tessa observed Blake carefully, her mind racing with questions and doubts. Despite her initial instinct to keep her guard up, there was something about him that tugged at her conscience, urging her to give him a chance. He seemed vulnerable, almost fragile, beneath the surface bravado he projected.
Taking a deep breath, Tessa decided to break the tense silence that hung between them. "Look, Blake," she began, her voice softening slightly, "I don't know what brought you here or what you're looking for, but I think we got off on the wrong foot."
