“I thought you didn’t have any commitments.”
Tess looked away, blushing. “I usually volunteer at a soup kitchen for a few days during the holidays. They have loads of people volunteering at this time of year, though—holiday spirit and all that—so they were quite glad I wanted to move my days. Said that it was right after January when they have the least people.”
Colette pursed her lips in a way Tess knew meant she was thinking hard. A beat passed as both waited for the other to say something. “Why do you volunteer?”
Tess laughed. “Well, not all of us can go to charity galas, Ms. Sylvestre.”
“Colette.”
“Huh?”
“If we’re going to ‘date,’ then you better call me Colette.”
Tess nodded. “And you better call me Tess. No one calls me Tessa.”
Colette’s eyes widened in shock. “I thought that was your name?”
“Well, technically my name is Theresa, but I go by Tess. I’m not sure why you started calling me Tessa, I just didn’t want to correct you before.”