Page 22 of A Sin So Pure

Each hypothetical scenario has me gritting my teeth, embarrassed at how I was snooping.

I thought I was done with that.

I draw my attention back to the blueprints clutched tightly between my fingers. The lines and numbers on the page blur together; focus eludes me, and the heat of Leo’s stare isn’t helping.

The papers land with asmackonto the counter.

“Alright. What is it?” I ask.

His brows fly to the top of his forehead. “What?”

“That look. On your stupid face.” I wave my hand at him. “Either knock it off or tell me whatever it is you’re thinking.”

Leo purses his lips, running a hand over his cropped curls.

“You’re really milking the suspense here,” I grumble, reaching for my drink.

When Leo had silently poured a glass of my favorite wine earlier, I hadn’t complained. Alcohol at noon sounded like an excellent idea to cure my emotional hangover.

“You know I don’t try to get into your personal business,” Leo says.

My snort almost makes me choke on my wine.

“Uh-huh,” I say, wiping a small dribble that’s escaped the corner of my mouth.

“I saidtry—doesn’t mean it works.” He tries to hold back a guilty smile. “But I have to ask…”

My gut sinks, knowing exactly where he’s going with this. It’s the same conversation every time. Leo thinks he needs to fill the shoes that my big brother left. What Ireallyneed is for him to trust that I can figure my own shit out.

“Did she stay for breakfast this morning?”

My neck heats involuntarily at his question. I rub at it, hoping the action will hide the blush.

“I don’t think this is an appropriate conversation,” I say, clearing my throat.

“Mo.” Leo levels me withthe lookagain. It’s that of a concerned friend—the one that screams of an impending intervention. “Fucking her is one thing. And I get it. She’s attractive. But it’s been years.”

“I’m intimately aware of how long we’ve been fucking,” I mutter.

Years—plural—sounds worse out loud than in my head.

Leo shakes his head and rounds the table. Shifting into the seat at my side, he scratches his stubble before speaking again.

“I don’t need my magic to see that she clearlylikesyou. But I wouldn’t be your friend if I didn’t point out that there’s something off about it all. How long are you going to wait for her to give you more than her Friday nights? I don’t want you getting hurt.”

I grind my teeth together; they’ve got to be shaved smooth with how tight I’ve kept my jaw the past six hours.

“You don’t have to worry about mending a future broken heart, Leo,” I snap. “I’m a big girl. I know what I’m doing. And, as I’ve told you many times before, I’m perfectly capable of separating sex from feelings.”

But that’s a lie, isn’t it?

I silently curse the Gods.

“I know the past few years have been an adjustment, and Nora’s been an easy crutch. I get it, truly. You weren’t the only one whose life changed from that crash,” he says, sighing. “Just think about what it is you want. And consider whether she will be able to give it to you in the long run.”

Then he stands, gathers the blueprints from the table, and disappears behind the bar into his office.

I hate it, but my Second is right.

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