Page 14 of Don't Leave Me

“It kind of is.” I chuckle.

“Is she from Maple Springs?”

“No, she’s from Philadelphia. She’s just visiting Leslie.”

“Peck…”

I sigh at the tone of her voice. I know what she’s going to say and I don’t want to hear it. It’s stupid to go on a date or even be interested in someone who doesn’t live around here. I get that, I really do, but I can’t seem to walk away from this woman.

Instead, I'm clinging to the one thing that doesn’t make me look desperate.

“Colt asked me to take her out for dinner so Leslie would go on a date with him. It’s that simple, Syd.”

“So, you don’t like her? She isn’t gorgeous? You haven’t been thinking up excuses to text her?” She gives me a pointed look.

“I'm going to plead the fifth.”

“You’re going to get your heart broken.”

“Well, can you help me at least look good for this? I might as well look good even if my heart is shattering on the inside.” I shrug, trying to pretend this doesn’t bother me.

“You’re a mess, but yes. I want you to look handsome for your date. Drop the khakis. No woman wants a man showing up in khakis.” She shakes her head and begins rifling through my things.

I pause at the front door and take a deep breath. Running my hands up and down my thighs, I try to calm my nerves. I’ve never felt like this before and I don’t love it. Sweaty hands aren’t the best impression.

I shift on my feet as I ring the doorbell and wait for someone to open it. It’s cold out tonight, but not nearly as cold as it will be over the next week. This is the calm before the blizzard.

Colt swings open the door and I hear Sophia’s voice float out into the cool air. She’s standing right behind Colt with a frown etched between her brows.

“I am not crazy, you-” Her words die on her tongue as her gaze shifts to me.

“I'm sorry, what were you saying?” Colt smirks, more than entertaining himself.

She’s stunning in a short black dress and strappy silver heels. Her hair is twisted into a bun at the base of her neck and her makeup is slightly heavier than normal. She looks like she just stepped off a runway and she did all of this for me.

“I said Leslie’s too good for you,” she whispers, never moving her attention away from me.

“Sophia,” I breathe her name, as I blink at her. I’m practically speechless. “You look incredible.”

“Holy shit,” Colt murmurs, glancing over his shoulder.

“Do I look ok for our date?” Leslie steps into my view and nibbles on her bottom lip as she glances down at her dress.

“No, I think your dress is too short. Colt was just telling me how mine was unacceptable and yours is shorter than mine,” Sophia pipes up from beside Colt.

“Shhh, no one’s talking to you, little girl.” He tries to cover Sophia’s mouth, but he’s too busy staring at his girlfriend and he just ends up swatting at her face and covering her eyes.

“Are you staying in uniform or are you changing?” Leslie wrinkles her nose as she glances at Colt’s clothing.

“I was going to change, but I'm wondering if you want to watch a little strip tease before we go out,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to her neck.

“Oh my gosh! I might puke!” Sophia groans and covers her eyes.

“Again, no one’s talking to you, little girl.” Colt rolls his eyes. “Don’t you have your own man to keep you company tonight?”

“Only because you told him to ask me out,” she huffs as she grabs her coat off the couch and stomps to the door. “Are you ready?”

“Uh… yeah. See ya later, guys.” I wave as Sophia pushes past me and into the cold night air.

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