Page 23 of Loving Leo

“No. I wouldn’t have left such a mess at the crime scene,” he says and then holds out his hand. “What’s your name?”

His gaze is directed at Asher who looks like he’s about to keel over backwards.

“I should know this, since we’re roommates now,” Jack amends.

A snort escapes me and Asher shoves at my arm.

“We are not roommates. I need my sleep! I can’t sleep with one eye open! It’s not possible for me.”

Jack’s extended hand falls and I suddenly feel sorry for him.

“I’m not murdering anyone,” he says and then gestures behind him. My eyes focus on the wood structure behind him.

“What is that?” I ask and he shrugs.

“Bookshelves.”

“Is that what you’ve been making?” I ask when Asher just stares. And stares.

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

It’s silent once more and then I sigh, holding out my hand. “I’m Leo. This is Asher. Want to have dinner with us?”

Asher tries to protest, but I just shake my head.

“It won’t be much, but how about some spicy mac and cheese.”

“Yeah, alright. I haven’t eaten today.”

“Probably why your six pack looks so amazing. Probably dehydrated and starving.”

Asher just glowers at me, but I ignore him.

“Anyway, just come over for dinner and you can tell Asher and I all about your woodworking. That you do all hours of the day.”

He nods and I throw a thumb over my shoulder.

“See you in a bit?”

“Yeah.”

We head back through the hole in the wall, my mind formulating a plan on how to tell our scummy landlord about this hole and how it happened when Asher interrupts.

“What are you doing? Inviting him for dinner? He could poison us when we’re not looking!”

“He’s not a murderer. He’s just a weird guy with a woodworking hobby.”

Asher doesn’t look so sure, but I am.

“He’s our roommate now anyway. The hole in the wall says so.”

“He is not our roommate!” Asher hisses, but follows me into the kitchen to help me make dinner.

“And he’s kinda cute.”

“Do not say that or I’ll tell Heath you have a new crush,” he replies, but a blush is staining his cheeks.

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