Page 61 of Fresh Start
We got some lunch in the city before we headed back to Cedarwood Beach with enough time to clean up, get dressed, and head to my parents' house.
“Wow,” I said when Leo came out of the bathroom, clean-shaven and with his hair slicked back, wearing the blue suit that hugged him in all the right places. His well-defined muscles were visible under the jacket, and his skinny fitting trousers gave me a view of not only his gorgeous butt but also of little Leo.
“What? You saw me put it on in the store,” Leo said.
“I know. Why do you think I was muttering to myself when you showed me then?” I said.
“Oh, shut up and go get dressed. We’ll be late,” Leo said and slapped my butt, and I retreated to the bathroom to get cleaned up too.
Shortly after seven, we arrived at my parents’ house, and their driveway was a Jenga of cars parked so close to each other that there was no walking space between them. The front door was open, so we walked straight through. The music was loud as was the liveliness both inside and outside in the back garden.
I looked for my parents or any other familiar face, but the majority of them I’d never seen before. Had Mom and Dad made so many new friends in Cedarwood Beach? Not that I’d be surprised considering how friendly everyone was, but Mom wasn’t someone who could hold friendships for long.
“Dawson, darling,” someone hooted behind me, and I turned to find a very high-spirited Mom with a glass of white wine in her hand, wading through the crowd to get to me, Dad following close behind her.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Leo straightening his back and wiping the front of his shirt even though there was nothing there.
“Hi, Mom. Dad. You’re looking like you’re having a blast,” I said, and Mom grabbed the back of my neck to pull me into a tight hug.
“It’s so good to have you here. Please visit more often. I know you’re a big star now and everything, but we like having you around,” she said.
“I like being around, too, Mom,” I said, and she let me go.
“And who is this hunk of a man?” she asked. She really had had too much already. But at least she liked the look of Leo. That was something.
Leo passed her his hand and introduced himself.
“We went to college together, and guess what? He’s from Cedarwood Beach. His family all live here,” I said.
“No,” Mom said in disbelief. “Who’s your family?”
“My dad is Paul Karagiannis. We’re a big, fat Greek family,” Leo said, and Mom gasped.
“No way. You’re their little lion? No way. Jeff, did you hear? Leo is Marina’s grandson,” she said still holding Leo’s hand.
“Don’t you live in London or something?” Dad smiled at him.
Leo nodded. “Yeah, I’m visiting the States on business, so I thought I’d visit everyone,” he said, and I could tell he was uncomfortable.
I hoped my parents weren’t making him feel that way.
My mom, oblivious to any such cues, dragged Leo into a tight hug while she told him he’s practically family.
I blinked and looked at her for an explanation, which she only gave when she let him go.
“I met your gran during yoga, and we’re friends now. I think she’s here somewhere. The whole family is,” she said.
A breath I didn’t know I was holding escaped me, and I turned to Leo, who grinned back.
“Are you okay?” I whispered to him.
“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Eldred, congratulations on your anniversary. And very nice to meet you. I don’t want to keep you from your other guests,” Leo said.
“Nonsense, darling. You’re a friend of our son’s, and I’m a friend of your family, so you’re family too. And call us by our first names, will you. We’re not that old. I’m Christine and this is Jeff,” Mom said, and Leo pursed his lips, nodding. “Where is your drink? Would you like a beer or some wine?” she asked, and I wanted to intervene, but Leo was prepared.
“I’m actually okay. I’ll have a soda, though,” he said with a wide smile.
“Soda? It’s a party, sweetie. Get something stronger,” Mom said.
