Page 71 of Worth the Risk

With my overnight bag hanging off my shoulder, I enter Leo’s house. I plan to be here when he comes home tomorrow morning. He only left on Monday, but it seems like a lifetime already. Unfortunately, we won’t be alone when he gets home. Nash’s car is in the driveway.

“Nash,” I yell as I make my way through the living room.

“Hey, Kylie,” he greets me as he comes down the stairs.

He’s wearing board shorts, and his longish blond locks are tied back in a man bun. Not every man can pull off the man bun, but Nash is one of the few who does.

He heads into the kitchen, and I follow him.

“I didn’t realize you were coming back today.”

Taking a bottle of water out of the refrigerator, he holds it out, wordlessly asking if I’d like one. I nod, and he takes another one out of the refrigerator while I sit on the stool at the island.

He hands me a bottle before plonking onto the stool across from me. “I came to talk with Leo about last weekend. I hate not telling him about it,” he tells me.

Nash is his best friend. What I don’t understand is why it would bother Leo.

“What would he have against you and Sophie being together?”

Nash doesn’t answer. Instead, he lays his water on the counter and spins it in circles.

I switch it up.

“Nash, how do you feel about Sophie?”

He lifts his head. “I’ve loved her for some time, and I’ve tried so hard to ignore it. But last weekend, my will broke.”

He obviously feels defeated, so I try to encourage him. “You’re making the right decision to tell Leo. He has the right to be told. Maybe it will be okay.”

He shrugs. “Maybe. Or she may not even want me anymore after I talk to her.”

Why would he think that?

It’s then we hear the door open.Is Leo back early?My heart rate picks up in excitement at the thought. It quickly slows, though, and I’m disappointed when Amber comes into the kitchen. Nash stands up quickly.

“Is Sophie here with you?” he asks her.

“Well, hello to you, too, Nash. No, Sophie is staying in New York this weekend,” Amber responds, taking the stool next to me. “Anything fun going on tonight?”

“Fire down by the lake. I’ll meet the girls there for a bit, then come back here and stay the night. Would you like to join me?” I ask her.

“Count me in.”

“How about you, Nash?”

“Nah. I’m staying home. Not really in the mood.” He stands up and leaves the room.

“What’s up with Nash?” Amber asks me once he’s gone.

I won’t tell her if she doesn’t know.

“He’s fine. He is just tired,” I lie and get up to leave. “I’ll get dressed. Can you be ready in an hour?”

“Sure can.”

“Great,” I say, heading back to Leo’s room to get ready.

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