Bellinger Sisters, #1
It Happened One Summer
by Tessa Bailey
Contents
Chapter Thirteen
Overview
Rosie conducts a triumphant taste test, landing a signature dish and public support for her restaurant dreams. In therapy, Armie centers Dominic’s needs, revealing he feels loved through acts of service. Rosie recognizes her share of the marital breakdown, declines Dominic’s plea to come home, and they receive new homework with sex still off-limits.
Summary
Rosie hosts a planned taste test for Bethany and Georgie, unveiling asado with ensalada criolla and her mother’s chimichurri. Their vivid reactions affirm her concept: food as an experience, and this trio as her signature house dish. Travis samples, pledging to draw Bombers players to her opening, further boosting Rosie’s confidence. Light banter follows, including frank sexual talk and Bethany’s comic exit.
Buoyed by the culinary win yet uneasy about her marriage, Rosie meets Dominic for their third therapy session with Armie. Armie shifts focus to Dominic’s needs. Dominic initially deflects, while Rosie feels her “upper hand” slipping. Armie presses for how Dominic feels loved; practical examples reveal Dominic values acts of service demonstrating thought and care.
Confronted, Rosie realizes she has contributed to their marital drift, having stopped offering thoughtful deeds while blaming Dominic. Overwhelmed, she cries; Dominic comforts her, shares a tender memory of seeking the taste of a shared muffin during deployment, and asks her to come home. Rosie, moved but cautious, refuses, insisting they must not revert to old patterns.
Armie assigns homework: Rosie to show appreciation through acts of service, Dominic to continue expressing feelings verbally; sex remains off the table. Despite progress, Armie can’t yet predict their outcome. The session ends with cautious hope tempered by unresolved tension.
Who Appears
- RosieAspiring restaurateur; debuts a signature asado dish; in therapy accepts shared blame, commits to acts of service, declines moving back in.
- DominicRosie’s husband; needs love shown through deeds; vulnerable in session, shares memory, asks Rosie to come home; tasked to use words.
- ArmieCouples therapist; redirects focus to Dominic’s needs, clarifies love languages, assigns homework, withholds prognosis.
- GeorgieRosie’s friend; enthusiastic taste tester; offers encouragement and playful banter with Travis.
- BethanyRosie’s sister; taste tests, supports Rosie; comic relief, exits after explicit confession.
- TravisGeorgie’s fiancé; samples the dish and promises to bring team attention for Rosie’s opening.