Page 15 of Last Chance Love

“Did he?”

“Yessum.”

Leon gave me a crooked smile, and I tried to ignore the flutter in my chest at the slightest flash of teeth. “Well, I can’t say I blame him. He’s got a few reasons to be pissed off at me right now. Now, whether or not I still think it’s a good thing?—”

“You’re speaking in riddles. Is what still a good thing? Him being mad at you?”

“No, of course not.”

“Well, I’m asking because it’s bothering you. But I’m also asking because I didn’t magically start reading minds last night.”

“Your sense of humor is one of your best traits, but I can’t say the same about your sarcasm.”

I leaned my elbow onto the desk and grinned. “And trust me, I’m not impressed or aroused by your refusal to say what’s on your mind half the time.”

“Half? C’mon, it has to be less than half,” he protested, which at least showedsomeself-awareness on his part.

“Buddy, you should be glad I went for just half the time instead of the more accurate, higher number,” I snorted.

“That’s rude.”

“And accurate. And, Leon?”

“Yeah?”

“You trying to change the subject to avoid the original is cute in theory but ineffective and a little annoying now. Actually, it was always annoying.”

Leon sighed. “Is there anyone else around?”

“Nope,” I said with a shrug. “Just Dr. Gideon, who’s going to avoid coming up here while I’m working because he’s a bitter old coot who hates my guts.”

“What? You never told me that.”

“It’s nothing personal. He hates that I can operate the systems better than he ever could. Other people like me more, and let’s not forget that he despises the idea of a felon working in the clinic.”

“Wow, and he’s working here, why?”

“You know what, I don’t know. I asked Dr. Greenway once, and she just chuckled and said she couldn’t tell me.”

“Why the chuckle?”

“Because whatever the reason, it’s amusing in her mind. So, that could be just about anything. If I had to guess, it’s deeply embarrassing, and either he was owed a favor, or this was his only option. I plan on looking him up when I get out of this place.”

Leon cocked his head. “The library has computers you can use. Monitored, sure, but?—”

“I’m not risking getting my ass chewed because I looked up information that isn’t supposed to be passed around,” I said. “Plus, if it’sreallybad, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep my mouth shut when he makes another shitty comment under his breath that he thinks we can’t hear because he won’t acknowledge he’s half deaf and the rest of us aren’t. So, spill.”

“It’s complicated,” Leon began, frowning down at the desk. “And it’s about Reno…and Elliot.”

I wasn’t surprised, considering I’d discovered that Elliot had turned around and tried to duke it out with Reno after the incident. I had to appreciate his sense of right and wrong, but Elliot really could do with a little more self-control. Still, I suppose it was good that he hadn’t actually had the chance to do anything; otherwise, his punishment would have probably been as significant as Reno’s.

“So, is Reno out?” I asked.

“Uh, no.”

“No?”

Leon grimaced. “I managed to negotiate him staying.”

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