Page 54 of Falling for Them

My first date with Leo started surprisingly well. I hadn’t quite known what to expect from him, but when we pulled up outside of a diner that had the best chicken tenders in the city, I knew it was off to a good start.

I’d been surprised he hadn’t chosen one of the restaurants he was involved with but was grateful he’d taken me somewherelow-key. It wasn’t that I disliked trying new restaurants, I just was a creature of habit. Chicken tenders were that habit.

Leo had ditched his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was halfway through a giant hamburger. I never knew watching someone eat a hamburger could be such a turn-on.

As I dipped a tender into the ranch that was probably some of the best I’d ever had, I held back a moan. Whoever made it deserved not only their pillow always being cold but a lifetime of puppy snuggles.

Leo chuckled, watching me as I chewed.

“What?” I wiped at my mouth self-consciously. It wouldn’t have surprised me if I was sporting a ranch mustache. “Do I have something on my face?”

“No, you just look like you’re really enjoying that.”

“I am.” I took a sip of my soda. “You’re at a ten on the date scale right now.”

Leo paused, his hamburger halfway to his mouth. “Wait until you see what we’re doing next.”

“There’s more?” I hadn’t expected to do anything other than have dinner.

“Of course. Unless you’re too tired. It’s been a long week.”

“Tired? Please, I’m just getting started.” I popped the last bite of my chicken into my mouth.

“Oh, yeah? Ms. Party Central?”

I snorted. “I’ve never really been into parties, even in college.” There was something about so many people being out of control and under the influence that made me remember all the times I’d seen my mom like that. I would bet Leo probably had enough parties under his belt for the both of us. “When you aren’t working or partying, what do you do for fun?”

“Fun?” He repeated the word as if it were a foreign concept.” I haven’t really been part of the party scene for a while now, and I don’t have much time for hobbies these days.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? No secret passion for underwater basket weaving or fridgescaping?”

“Fridgescaping?” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I mostly work, but when I have the time, I like to travel or go to the house in the Hamptons.”

“Why work so much? I mean, you’re clearly successful. Why work so much when you could be out there living it up?”

Leo’s expression shifted, a vulnerability I’d never seen before flickering across his face. “It’s complicated.” He set down his hamburger and leaned back in the booth, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere over my shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just curious.” I hadn’t realized asking about his free time would upset him.

“My dad has always been a hard man to please. Growing up, nothing I did ever seemed to be enough. He built this empire and expects me and Luca to continue to grow it. I’ve always felt the weight of his expectations, but then, of course, I go and make it ten times worse by making bad decisions and have to prove myself all over again.”

“Bad decisions aren’t always so bad.” I reached across the table, placing my hand over his. “You’re pretty accomplished for being so young. Surely, your father must see that.”

He gave a wry smile. “Unfortunately, one lapse in judgment can change everything. But that’s enough about that… what do you do for fun besides reading and playing video games?”

“Those take up most of my free time. I love getting lost in a good book… even if some people don’t think it’s a good use of time.” I could still hear my ex telling me that I read too much, and it wasn’t a good way to spend my life.

“Maybe you can loan me one of your books.”

I popped a fry in my mouth, already running through a list of books I thought he would enjoy. “You sure about that? They’respicy… sometimes with weird shit like men who can knot and purr to comfort their omega.”

He looked rather concerned. “Sounds… interesting.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Maybe he and Ethan could buddy-read some books together. Their reactions to some of the things I read would be pure entertainment gold.

After we finished eating, we left the diner and walked down the block instead of going to his car. He grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers as we walked.

We approached a quaint bookstore nestled between a coffee shop and a vintage clothing store. The warm glow from the windows beckoned us inside, and I felt a flutter of excitement in my chest.

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