Page 77 of Ink & Stardust

I get where he’s coming from. It’s the very reason I haven’t told him about Kai. The moment I admit to River, to anyone, that I’ve fallen for him, is the moment I give my feelings power. And while yes, I have admitted some things to Charlotte and Maisie, neither of them knows just how bad it’s gotten. Just how far I’ve truly fallen.

I can’t be mad at him for keeping secrets when I’m doing the exact same thing. Sometimes we need to keep certain things inside, to reserve them just for ourselves.

“You better.” It’s my turn to nudge him.

“So, how does it feel to be back home?”

“Strange,” I admit. “Is it just me or are Mom and Dad acting more clingy than usual?”

“I think they just really missed you. You are the baby, after all.”

“Did you know they’re going to Italy next summer? Our parents... Italy. Dad has never even been on a plane.”

“I know, right?” River barks out a laugh. “But you know Mom has always wanted to go, and Dad, well, there’s nothing that man won’t do for her. I used to think it was pathetic. Now I see that it’s just how he shows his love.”

“I always thought it was sweet.”

“You’re also a girl.”

“So?”

“So, you’re wired to think everything is sweet.”

“Screw you, I am not.” I give him a playful smack to the arm.

“Yeah, okay.” He chuckles. “Need I remind you...” His words trail off at the obvious sound of a car pulling into the driveway, the tires crunching beneath the gravel Dad laid to cover up the cracks in the concrete. “Sounds like Avery is finally here with the girls.” He pushes to a stand and I do the same.

“Finally. I’ve been dying for little niece squeezes.” I smile as I make my way down the two remaining steps to the stone walkway that leads from the backyard to the detached driveway.

“Guess I can let the parentals know we can finally eat,” River says seconds before I hear the back door open and then close as he heads back inside.

Rounding the corner, I’m so excited to see the girls that I barely register the car sitting in the driveway isn’t Avery’s, until the driver climbs from the car.

My footsteps come to an abrupt stop as my heart jumps into my throat, cutting off my ability to breathe.

Leo...

Before I can even think to slink back behind the house in order to avoid being seen, his eyes flick to mine, pinning me to the spot. I blink once, twice, three times before realizing why he was able to spot me so easily. I’m standing directly in the path of the floodlights attached to the garage. Might as well have a flashing sign pointing at me that readshere I am.

He closes the driver’s door of his car, not taking his eyes off me as he makes his way toward me. I try to force my feet to move, but it’s like I’m standing in cement that has already hardened around my ankles, making it impossible for me to walk away.

The closer he gets, the tighter the knot in my stomach becomes, and by the time he reaches me, it’s wound so tight it feels like it might rip me in two.

“What are you doing here?” I grind out, surprising myself when I don’t stutter on a single word.

“Hello to you, too.” He smiles, and suddenly, I’m transported to another time and place when that smile would have made me feel uneasy on my feet. When that smile would have made my heart do flips in my chest. When it would have caused a flurry of butterflies in my belly. Now, all I feel is numb.

“What are you doing here?” I ask a second time, my hands balling into fists at my sides like if he takes another step, I might actually take a swing. Not that I’ve ever hit someone before, but with Leo, I’m seriously considering how good it would feel to bust open that pretty little nose of his.

“Your mom mentioned to my mom that you were coming into town for Thanksgiving,” he says as if that’s any real explanation for why he thought showing up here was a good idea.

“And you took that as an invitation?” I sneer. “Just because my mom is still friends with yours doesn’t mean that you’re welcome here.”

“You blocked my number,” he states flatly.

“I’m aware.”

“You hung up on me last time I managed to get through to you.”

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