Page 77 of Christmas off Script
‘Yes, and it’s nice to know I can relax with Libby directing the pantomime this year.’
‘You don’t mind?’
Vivienne leaned closer. ‘I’ll try not to interfere.’
Leo snorted. ‘So, why are you coming to the rehearsal, then?’
She gave a casual shrug. ‘To offer any assistance if needed.’ He raised an eyebrow, and she smirked. ‘Anyway, why are you skulking outside?’
‘Um.’ What to say? He’d never been any good at lying, and he hadn’t worked out what excuse he could give for his radical change in behaviour.
Vivienne waited patiently.
‘I realised last night I’m in love with Ella,’ he said in a rush. ‘But I can’t say anything because she’s my friend and still hurting from Oliver dumping her. And now Zach’s here and I think he wants to get back with her, and if she wants that, then I have to support her, but—’ He broke off and rubbed the middle of his chest. ‘I love her so much and it hurts.’ He hung his head.
‘Honey.’ Vivienne’s voice was gentle as she took his hand. ‘We never understood why you stepped back at school and encouraged Zach to pursue her.’
Leo’s head snapped up in surprise. ‘You knew I loved Ella back then?’
She nodded, her gaze filled with compassion.
‘Who else knew?’
‘I think only Deedee. We didn’t discuss it with your father because…’
Leo huffed. ‘Because he wouldn’t have been able to keep his mouth shut.’
Vivienne’s head inclined regally, acknowledging the truth of his words. ‘But you’ve got a second chance now.’
He shook his head. ‘She’ll never see me as anything other than a friend.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘Mom. Zach and Oliver are all “tall, dark and handsome”. I’m not her type.’
‘Have you asked her?’
‘There’s no way I can do that. Can you imagine how awful it would be to turn me down, then still live here and have to see me every day?’
‘I understand your concern, but don’t hold off forever telling her how you feel. Love is more than what someone looks like. The two of you are so well-suited. You have been since you were little kids. It’s like you’re two sides of the same coin.’
Leo let out a heavy sigh. There was no way he was going to risk his friendship with Ella by blurting out how he felt. She’d been through enough already.
Vivienne took his arm and led him into the ballroom. ‘Come on, honey. You can do this.’
14
The ballroom was already full of people, but Leo searched for Ella. She was wearing a t-shirt that said ‘Yippee Ki Yay!’ and chatting to Willow. Despite how miserable he’d been feeling, his heart lifted as she noticed him, pointed at his ‘Nakatomi Plaza Christmas Party 1988’ t-shirt and gave him two thumbs up.
‘See?’ Vivienne murmured. ‘Two sides of the same coin.’
She left his side, wandering over to Libby, who appeared to be in a heated discussion with his father.
Leo hung back, unsure of where to go and what to do. The door opened behind him and he turned to see Zach entering, out of breath, a rucksack over his shoulder.
He came to Leo’s side. ‘Glad I’m not late. How was the ball last night?’
‘Good. How was London?’
