Page 110 of How to Prevent a Fumble

“It really is,” Zara mutters.

I don’t see Leo for a good portion of the night as he makes his way around the room.

I watch him closely.

The way he smiles, shaking hands with people he seems to know well makes heat rise within me, and I’m not quite sure why.

Is it pride for what he’s doing? Because I’m not his, and he’s not mine. But there’s just something about a man who knows what he wants, who is doing good for the community and wants to put on the best event he can, that just makes me feel prideful.

I want to make him mine for real, but I know it’ll never happen.

I don’t need the mourning period required if I allow myself to even think for a second that that’s something he wants.

“So, you guys have your first real outing in a bit,” Zuri says as she comes up next to me. Her dark hair is up in a high ponytail, and she looks amazing in her red dress.

“Yeah, but we’ll get pictures soon,” I tell her as I take a sip of my drink.

“Please do. You guys were doing really well there and he’sbeen surprisingly on his best behavior, but we need to get this charity into the news cycle, and new photos of you twovery much in lovewill do just the trick.

I look at her. “Why can’t the event just stand by itself?”

She grimaces. “Unfortunately, most of the time people really only care about sensational stories, and charities are a dime a dozen. Have it connected to a relationship update? More people will care.”

That doesn’t sound right to me.

“Okay,” I say simply after a few too many beats of silence.

“Please make sure you guys get some images, or I’ll kick his ass tomorrow,” she says before walking off.

Alright.

Half an hour later, we sit down to eat and Leo finally joins me. We’re at a table with Isla, Owen, and all of Isla’s friends plus Zara. Cooper and Emmett are at the table next to us along with Dirwin and a couple other players.

The drinks have been flowing, and Leo looks happier than ever, and when he looks at me, my heart stops for a beat.

When he smiles, I have to bite my lip to stop myself from smiling back at him.

“Are you having fun?” he asks, leaning his right arm against the table, his torso turned to me.

“A lot of fun,” I tell him, taking a bite of bread.

“You don’t seem to be,” he murmurs, his eyes flickering to my lips.

“Your publicist believes we should be together a little more tonight it seems.”

“Is that so?” His voice drops.

“Mhm.”

“Then we just have to make her happy.”

I watch as he tucks his bottom lip under his teeth, his eyes intenseon mine.

“I guess so.”

“Edward! Have you met my beautiful girlfriend?” Leo asks an older man as we walk around the room together.

“No, but I think you got lucky with this one, Warner.”

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