Page 125 of Love Bleeds Red
“Really, I should probably get a hotel room—” he starts.
“Leon,” Mom interrupts, hands on her hips in full mom-means-business mode. “That inn charges sixty dollars a night for rooms that reek of cigarettes and have mysterious stains on the carpet. You’re staying here, and that’s final.”
Leon gives me a look that’s part helpless, part secretly pleased—like this is exactly what he was hoping would happen but he can’t let on that he orchestrated it perfectly.
“If you insist,” he says with just the right amount of reluctant acceptance.
“I won’t have you getting scabies or bed bugs or something from that place. Jasper’s room is yours for however long you’d like.” Her phone rings again and she grabs it from the table. “Dammit, can’t they take a hint? I better get this.” And then she’s off, heading back toward her bedroom, her voice carrying in the hallway.
Leon smirks at me, looking so smug.
“Bravo,” I say. “That was some impeccable acting.”
“I thought so too.”
“Was there ever a reservation at the inn?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
He taps his chin, pretending to think for a second, then grins. “Not at all. In fact, I think they’re booked solid this week. There’s some children’s cheerleading convention at the event center in town. Kids everywhere running about. Steer clear of those cross streets.”
“You’re terrible,” I say, shaking my head but unable to hide my smile. “So this whole thing was planned?”
“I prefer the termstrategically hopeful,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I figured your mum would never let me stay at some sketchy inn. She’s very protective of people she likes.”
“And I guess you think she likes you then?” I tease.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure she likes me more than Jasper at this point,” he says with a grin. “When I stayed last time, I helped her carry groceries, I complimented her garden, and I didn’t track mud through the house. That’s like instant son-in-law status.”
I literally choke on my own saliva. “Son-in-law status? Wow… Someone’s getting quite cocky.”
“Cocky or truthful? You decide.”
“Jury’s still out on that one,” I say, ignoring the acrobatics happening in my stomach.
“Well, I’ve got time to make my case,” he says, and something in his tone shifts. Less teasing, more sincere.
I blow out a breath and my gaze drifts to my hands, feeling the weight of everything unsaid between us. It’s been a weird few months. We’ve texted and had a few calls but we’ve both kept things pretty surface level. Safe and predictable. Which is exactly what I’ve needed.I think.
“Leon…”
“Yeah?”
“What are we doing here?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “I mean, with us. Are we... Are we trying to go back to how things were, or... Because I don’t know if I’m ready for anything… I don’t know… heavy or physical. I’m just…”
“Hey,” he says gently, and I feel his warm hand cover mine on the table. “There’s no pressure, Bailey. None at all.”
I look up at him, searching his face. I know he’s sincere but I can’t help but feel bad. Like a knee-jerk reaction to care about his needs more than my own, which is so not okay, but I can’t help it. “But you came here. You planned this whole thing...”
“I came here because I missed you,” he says simply. “Not because I expect anything from you. I just… I wanted to be near you again. Even if it’s just as friends.”
“Friends,” I repeat, testing the word on my lips. I don’t know how I feel about it… not yet.
“Friends,” he confirms. “For as long as you need. Or forever, if that’s what you want.”
I guess my body understands what my brain is still struggling to make sense of because as soon as he says those words, relief washes over me. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“You don’t have to thank me for caring about you, love.”
“For everything.” My face burns and tears well in my eyes. “What you’re doing with the estate is incredible. I wish I could tell Polly about it.”
