Page 76 of Christmas off Script
‘Advent calendars?’
‘Oh yeah.’ He took a step back. Suddenly, the thought of sitting on Ella’s bed reading out quotes about kisses and love seemed more dangerous than eating an uncooked Christmas dinner.
A tiny notch appeared between her brows, her eyes clouding with confusion and uncertainty. ‘Have I done something wrong?’
Fuck!‘No! Nothing!’
‘Then what’s the matter? You’ve been so different this evening. You know you can tell me anything?’
I can’t tell you I’m in love with you.Taking a deep breath, Leo pondered what lie he could come out with.
‘Is it about Zach? Were you worried he was going to be there tonight and upset me?’
Leo blinked. He’d completely forgotten Zach was meant to be there.
‘I meant to tell you he went to London on Friday for a meeting and won’t be back until tomorrow for the rehearsal.’
Leo squeezed his fists tighter inside his pockets. How often was Zach messaging her? Were they going to get back together?
‘Libby told me,’ Ella said hastily. ‘She thinks it’s about a new job.’
Leo’s breath rushed out before he could stop it.
Ella gave him a rueful smile, as if she’d guessed what had been bothering him all evening. ‘I’m okay with Zach now. His apology was sincere and I’ve always understood why he did what he did, even though it was wrong.’ She reached forward and put her arms around him. ‘I’m alright. I promise.’
Unclenching his fingers, Leo pulled his hands from his pockets and hugged Ella back, his posture stiff as he willed his cock not to follow suit. He suppressed a groan as he held her. She fitted so perfectly in his embrace. The feel of her body against his, the scent of her. It was achingly familiar but also seared him like a brand down to his bones. How could he live with this pain in his chest? How could he go back to treating her just as a friend, now that his eyes and heart were truly open?
Lowering his head, he rested his cheek against her hair, breathing in deeply. Ella’s ear was resting on his chest. Could she feel his heart beating? His skin was tingling, heat prickling in waves like wind rippling across the surface of the sea, signalling the first whispers of an oncoming storm.
He pulled away, his gaze averted. ‘Night-night, Princess,’ he managed huskily, then went into his own room and closed the door behind him.
Leo: Morning Princess. Go down to breakfast without me. I couldn’t sleep so I’m off for a run. I’ll catch up with you at rehearsal X
With his handon the door to the ballroom, Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.Come on. Act normal.
His muscles were still screaming in protest at the two-hour run he’d subjected them to, and his head was splitting from lack of sleep. He tried to remember the last time he’d actually slept well.
Over a week ago. When you spent the night in Ella’s bed.
He shook his head. How had he been so blind for so long about his feelings for her? Was his moral compass so well fixed he’d only allowed himself to acknowledge he loved Ella when they both were single?
Go me, he thought dolefully. He wished he wasn’t in love with her. He’d made everything weird between them and her unhappy. What a useless best friend he was right now.
‘Is the door locked, honey?’
He glanced up to see his mom sashaying down the corridor towards him. Wearing a red silk dress, Vivienne looked like she’d just stepped off a catwalk.
‘Morning, Mom. No, I’m just trying to collect my thoughts.’
Vivienne frowned and raised her hand to his forehead. ‘You got a fever?’
‘I went for a run just now.’
‘Oh dear. That’s my least favourite form of cardio.’
The smile came easily to Leo’s face. His Mom was naturally slim and eschewed any form of exercise that took place outside of the bedroom she shared with his dad and mammy.
‘Is it good to be home?’
