TERESA

She felt like an idiot.

She didn't know why she asked to exchange numbers with Patrick. She had felt like a giddy teenager at the time, eager to get his number, completely forgetting about the fact he had a wife. And a child. He was completely out of her league.

She was sure he'd only given her his number to be polite. She doubted he even wanted to talk to her. Gorgeous men like him were never interested in women like her, especially married ones with a whole child.

He'd probably even deleted her number as soon as she left the diner. God, she was so stupid. He probably thought she was a homewrecker. Definitely not a good impression to make with a man.

To be honest, she hadn't expected to run into him again. Austin, Texas wasn't that small of a place. Maybe it was just because Jerry's was the only good diner within a ten mile radius and everyone adored the food there. It was just a coincidence for them to run into each other.

"Teresa?

A feminine voice tugged her out of her thoughts, causing her to blink and adjust her eyesight on her best friend, Grace. The woman was absolutely stunning, with long red hair and hazel eyes. She belonged in a model magazine, and maybe she'd have taken up the career of being a model if it weren't for her husband and kids.

Teresa plastered on an apologetic smile. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

Grace arched an eyebrow. "I was rambling about the vacation Wayne and I are thinking of taking without the kids, but now I'm more interested in what's on your mind."

Teresa's pale cheeks flushed. "It's nothing."

"Oh, it's definitely something." Grace reached for her wine that was sitting on the coffee table. "Spill."

"There's nothing to spill."

Grace ignored her comment. "Is it a guy?"

"What?" Teresa scoffed, her cheeks a darker shade of crimson now. "No way. Of course not."

Grace gasped excitedly, her eyes almost bugging out of their sockets. "Oh my god, it is a guy! Who is it? What's he look like? Tell me everything!"

Teresa groaned, stuffing her mouth with fries so she wouldn't have to answer right away. Grace crossed her arms impatiently and waited, clearly not going to give up until she told her everything.

Swallowing her mouthful, Teresa sighed. "Okay, it's a guy. But it's nothing, I swear. We're not even friends."

"What's his name?"

"Patrick Jane."

Grace was so surprised she almost spilled her wine all over her. "Holy shit, did you say Patrick Jane?"

Teresa furrowed her eyebrows. "Yeah, why? Do you know him?"

"Everyone does! He's like super famous, or at least he used to be."

"Famous?" The brunette gawked. "I've never even heard of him."

"He's a psychic," Grace explained, taking a short sip of her red wine. "Well, he pretended to be one years ago. He's a conman; that used to be his job. He retired after his wife died in a car accident."

Teresa let the new information sink in. Patrick Jane was a famous psychic. She'd never believed in pyschics so it wasn't a surprise that she'd never heard of him. She hadn't even known people could make that into a successful career.

"So his job was being a fake psychic," she deadpanned. Then her eyes widened. "Wait, did you say his wife died?"

Grace nodded. "She died six years ago. Drunk driver hit her. It was all over the news."

Teresa swallowed hard. How hadn't she heard about it? She used to be a cop, for Christ's sake. She was supposed to know these things, especially if everyone else knew.

"That's sad," she mumbled, looking down at her lap. She felt bad for Patrick. He'd lost his wife and still wore his wedding ring. She couldn't help but wonder if he still wore it to show other women he wasn't interested in dating. She couldn't blame him if that were the case.

"Yeah." Grace gazed at her. "So, how did you guys meet? Do you know he has a daughter?"

Wow, Grace seemed to know everything about this guy. "I met him at the grocery store. His daughter ran into me and made me drop my phone and he offered to pay for the damage, but I told him not to worry about it."

"Aww," Grace cooed. "He's always been a nice guy. You should watch some of his old interviews online; he's such a sweetheart."

"He's definitely nice. I ran into him and his daughter again today at Jerry's."

"I think the universe is trying to tell you something," Grace teased.

Teresa snorted. "Yeah, I don't think so. It was just a coincidence. We've barely talked."

"You should get to know him," the red head insisted. "Maybe it's about time you got back into the dating world. I can tell you like him, so just go for it."

"I do not like him," Teresa deflected with an eye roll. "I don't know him well enough to like him. He's just an attractive guy, that's all."

"That's why you need to get to know him. Ask him on a coffee date or something. I'm sure he'd say yes."

"He still wears his wedding ring. I doubt he has any interest in dating. Besides, we've already exchanged numbers and I doubt he's going to text me. He just did it to be polite."

"C'mon, Teresa. You're a beautiful, smart, strong woman. Why wouldn't he want to go on a date with you? Even if things don't work out at least you can say you tried."

"Even if I did go out with him, the man has a kid," Teresa sighed. "It's not the most reassuring thing."

"You're great with our kids," Grace told her as soon as Wayne walked into the room, looking exhausted from putting the kids down for a nap. "They absolutely adore you."

"They do," Wayne nodded in agreement, sitting down next to his wife and stealing a few of her fries. "What are we talking about, ladies?"

"Teresa met Patrick Jane," Grace informed him as he threw an arm around her shoulders affectionately. "The psychic, remember?"

"Oh yeah, him." Wayne nodded, looking to Teresa. "Grace used to be obsessed with him."

The red head aforementioned whacked his chest. "I was not!"

"Mmh, whatever you say."

Grace rolled her eyes. "I was not obsessed with him."

Wayne nestled himself into the couch comfortably. "So, you like this guy or what?"

"I barely know him," Teresa replied, exasperated.

"Yeah, but— "

Just then Teresa's phone rang, cutting Grace off mid-sentence. The brunette whipped out her phone, her heart skipping a beat when seeing the caller I.D.

"Who is it?" Grace asked once seeing the look of surprise on her best friend's face.

"Patrick. I'm gonna take this." Teresa stood up and stepped into the kitchen, ignoring Grace's giddy whispers to her husband as she answered the call.

"Hey!" Patrick's voice drifted from the phone and she smiled at his joyful tone.

"Hey." She was unable to keep the smile out of her voice. "What's up?"

"Well, I'm currently having a tea party with Charlotte," he laughed. "You?"

Teresa's smile widened while thinking about him playing tea party with his daughter. She hadn't known him for very long, but she could already tell he was an amazing dad.

"Just hanging out with some friends," she replied. "How's the tea party?"

"It's wonderful. The tea is to die for."

A soft chuckle slipped past her lips. "I'm glad you're having a good time."

She heard him hum on the other line. Then, "I have a question."

"I have an answer."

"Are you free tomorrow morning?"

His question caught her off guard immediately. Spluttering, she answered, "uh, yeah, I am."

"Perfect. Another question. Would you be willing to meet me for coffee?"

Oh god, was he asking her out on a date? A coffee date? She couldn't believe it. The universe was really playing a game with her.

With her heart thumping against her ribcage, she asked, "Patrick, are you asking me out?"

A pause. "That depends. Are you saying yes?"

Despite herself, another smile tickled her lips. "Yes. I'd love to have coffee with you."

"Wonderful. How does nine sound?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you then."

"I'm looking forward to it, Teresa."

The call ended. She inhaled a breath, her skin dancing with goosebumps. Patrick Jane had just asked her out on a date. A simple coffee date, but a date nonetheless.

Her legs felt like jelly as they carried her back into the living room, where Grace and Wayne were still cuddled together on the couch. Grace wiggled her eyebrows at her, a smirk playing on her lips.

"So...?"

Teresa bit her lip. "I'm meeting him for coffee tomorrow morning."

She doubted the sound of Grace's squeal would ever leave her head.