Page 15 of The Mayor and the Mystery Man

I showed him how it was done, rolling in front of him.

“I can wheel it then.”

But it was too late. I was already ahead.

We exited into the cold New York air and dark sky illuminated by parking street lights. Leo pointed straight into the parking lot across from the pickup station. The regional airport was like a strip mall compared to the behemoth of LAX. I was surprised the parking lot wasn’t filled with Hot Wheels.

“How was the flight? Were you able to sleep?” Leo wore gray slacks, a fitted black sweater, and shiny shoes. Even picking up a friend late at night, he was dressed to impress.

“Nah. Those seats get more and more uncomfortable.”

“What about the neck pillow I got you for Christmas?”

“I forgot it.”

“It’s made specifically for flights.”

“Eh, I don’t need it.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I lost it or that it might’ve been crushed in boxes with the rest of my belongings. “I have the guest room waiting for me?”

“The bed’s all made up.”

My body quaked with excitement. Leo’s guest room had a luxurious queen size bed with soft sheets and a mattress that was one giant marshmallow. I never slept better than at casa McCaslin.

Leo clicked his car to unlock, then opened the trunk.

“I can do it,” I said, but Leo was too fast.

The suitcase was already in his hands. “I can do it better,” he said with a smile.

He bent over to place my suitcase in the trunk, and I…did I check out my best friend’s ass?

No comment.

I was really tired. Jet lag. Had to be it. I got into the car without saying a word.

* * *

The roads were dark,even with the minimal street lighting. Again, not like LA, where there were so many lights and cars and buildings that true darkness was rare. Unless during a regular power outage.

“So, how’s the west coast?” Leo asked. “You look tan.”

“Benefit of living by the beach.”

Leo had a healthy sheen to him that made me wonder if he visited a tanning salon now and again.

“I’ve been meaning to get out there to visit and crash with you.”

“Yeah.” That was literally impossible now that I was literally homeless.

“How’s work going? My kids loveOcean City. They’re excited for the next season. Every time I catch them watching it, I say Uncle Dusty built that set.”

My stomach twisted inside me. Leo had enough on his plate to worry about. I wasn’t going to add my mess.

“It’s good. The show is going really well. I love getting to build all these sets, and the crew is a lot of fun. I’m doing carpentry then coming home to my apartment on the beach. Life is good.” I mustered Oscar-worthy levels of enthusiasm.

He looked at me, then back at the road. “Uh-oh.”

“What?”

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