Page 105 of Loving the CEO

I replied quickly. I didn't have much time before Leo and I were supposed to leave.

Thanks, Mom. I’ll look it over and get back to you.

I was pacing my studio up and down, trying to process the email.

Oh, come on, Tory, get your shit together. You’re about to spend an amazing evening with Leo and his family.

At 6:00 p.m. on the dot, Leo knocked at the door. I opened it, drinking him in. The knots in my shoulders disappeared just because I was looking at this sexy-as-hell man.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"No, sorry. Right, I'll grab my things," I said nervously. "I'd intended to change, but I forgot. Do you mind if I change quickly now?"

"Tory," he said, stepping in and closing the door, "is something wrong?"

"Well, not exactly. I've..." I sighed. "You know what? I won't change because then we’ll be late. Let's just go to the dinner, and we'll chat later."

"Fuck the dinner."

I pouted. "We don't want to be late."

"Tory, you’re worrying me now. What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath, letting it out with a loud exhale. "Mom found this amazing property in New Orleans that could work as a B&B."

"For you two to run?"

"Yeah, that was... well, I mean, that was the original plan for a long time.”

“Right. And you want to go see it?” His voice had an edge to it.

“It would be really impolite not to, considering she found it. And it does look good. I just...”

“What?” Leo asked, eyes trained on me.

“I’m not sure if it’s what I want anymore.”

“How much time do you have to decide?”

“Not a lot. The way properties are being snatched up, I know this will be gone in a matter of weeks, maybe even days.”

“I can put out feelers and find out if anyone else is interested.”

“That’s not necessary, but thanks.”

Leo said nothing for a brief second. I tried to read his expression, but I couldn’t, and it was bothering me.

“What’s your instinct telling you?” His voice was unusually tight.

“Oh, Leo, my instinct’s been confused for a long while. What do you think?” I really wanted to know his opinion.

He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “It’s not my place to give my opinion.”

“But I’m asking for it,” I insisted.

“Tory.” He stepped closer to me. “I support you no matter what you decide. First and foremost, I’ll always be your best friend.”

That made me melt, but I was also a tiny bit sad. Why couldn’t he just say,“Hell no! I’m not going to let you go to New Orleans. You’re staying here with me”?

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