Page 46 of Fresh Start
"So, I guess that means we're going to exchange numbers," Leo asked, trying to be nonchalant, although I could see right through it.
"Of course. Now that I've found you, I don't want to lose you. Again."
It sounded so cheesy, but I hoped Leo would appreciate it. I had to remind myself that Leo might not be at the exact place where I was emotionally, and I certainly didn't want to scare him away. So I resolved to keep all these excessive emotions to myself until I could gauge Leo's.
"Yeah, I'd like that too," Leo replied, and we stared at each other as if the whole world depended on it.
“Here’s your pancakes, boys,” Melody said, interrupting the little moment we were having by putting down the plates stacked high with pancakes, cream, and berries.
“Thanks, Mel. You’re a star,” Leo said.
“You know it,” Melody replied and walked away from the table.
Leo turned his attention back to me.
"Enough about me, what about you? What are you doing next? Spill the beans, Detective Strong."
"There's nothing much to say. I have one more film to do before my contract expires, and if I'm honest, I don't know what I'm doing next," I said.
"Does that mean your days as Detective Strong are over? How many more films are they going to make?"
"The new contract they sent me is for another eight movies," I said.
Leo gasped.
"Eight movies? Eight movies? That's a lot. And I don't know if I should go all fanboy on you, or if I should say enough is enough. I mean I love Strong, but even for me that's a lot of movies."
I nodded. It was a lot, and I’d had enough. As much as I loved the studio and my colleagues, I wanted a future away from Detective Strong and his superpowers. I wanted to experiment and do other, new things. Maybe do a rom-com or a thriller. I’d done a few dramatic parts and guest-starred in things over my years as a superhero, but nothing that meant much to me looking back. I wanted to be more than a handsome guy that was playing a vigilante.
I didn't realize I’d actually said those things out loud until Leo replied and reached out for my hand.
Well, that was new. I looked around us, but no one was paying any attention. Not even Melody.
Leo really had me in his thrall, and I couldn't resist him. That was equal parts scary and exciting.
"Wow, I can't imagine what it must feel like. But you do what feels right. In here." Leo tapped me over the heart and then touched his silverware, picking up his knife and fork. "Even if that means hanging up the Detective Strong hat and moving on. At the end of the day, you've done your part, spent twelve years doing it, it's time for pastures new," Leo said.
I knew all that. Yet hearing it from another person, especially Leo, I felt understood. Encouraged. Now, whether I’d actually go ahead and do it was a different story. I just hoped, when the time came, I’d find the strength.
"You're right. I know you're right," I replied and looked down at my plate and my warm pancakes.
They were a sight to behold. Just like the man I was sharing this moment with.
Without thinking too much about it, I reached for my phone and started taking pictures of the plate.
It’d been a little while since I shared something with my followers. I’d spoiled them with daily pics for years, but since I didn’t want my location spoiled and ruined by the press, I’d kept posts to a minimum.
But this? I needed to share. Since I couldn’t share him, I could share the pancakes, at least.
“What are you doing?” he asked me.
“Insta,” I said, and Leo chuckled.
“What are you? Twelve? You’re such a hipster. I love it,” he said.
I explained to him why I chose this moment to take my phone out and take pictures, and his smile widened from ear to ear.
“Aw, babe,” he said, and there was a pinch in my heart. “Can I see?” he asked, and I reached over the table with my phone.
