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Chapter Fourteen
Are you busy tonight? I texted, immediately wishing I could take it back after it sent. Who was I to be so bold?
But within seconds, Leo replied.
Leo: Not unless you have something exciting to offer.
Tillie: Can you meet me at 6? I’ll text you the address.
Leo: Can’t wait.
I leaned back on my childhood bed, staring at the ceiling. I felt like a lovesick teenager, but in some ways, that was okay. It felt good to feel again, I guessed. Even though it also felt like a terrible idea. My mind flashed to Brad and all that had happened. It had started one way and completely unraveled. What made me think inviting a popstar into my life was going to go better?
I hobbled off the bed and took stock of myself in the mirror. I decided to swipe on some makeup and put on a nice dress. We weren’t going anywhere fancy, but I needed to feel better about myself. Days in athleisure wear before moving back and days in athleisure wear now because of the boot for my ankle weren’t doing me any favors. Even if Leo and I were just a summer friendship or even a fling, I needed to get back into my groove. I needed to reconnect with the go-getter Tillie I was and not the wrecked woman Brad left in his wake.
***
I CLINKED THROUGH THE door and saw him sitting in the corner booth, the one I’d told him to meet me at. He’d wanted to pick me up, but I hadn’t wanted to do the whole family thing with him, so I’d taken the bus.
He stood when he saw me, crossing the room. I pushed onward, though, not resting until I got to the booth. I tried to conceal how much I was panting from the effort and the lack of air conditioning in the dive bar.
“I was worried for a second you’d punked me,” Leo said.
“Does anyone even use that term anymore?” I teased.
“Well, if they did, they’d probably use it for this scenario.”
“Dive bars are the best bars,” I argued, taking in the sights around us. The few times Serena and I had returned to Ocean City after turning twenty-one, this had been our place. A scrawny man in a white tank top was crooning out some Cher into the karaoke microphone. No one was listening. All around, a few dodgy tourists and a slew of regulars filled the disintegrating booths. The lighting, the worn-out tabletops, and the dusty, sad pirate decorations didn’t scream ocean escape.
“I agree,” Leo said, also seeming to inventory the place. “It’s charming in its own way.”
I raised an eyebrow as if questioning his sanity. Still, I knew why he liked it. The dark atmosphere at the Pirate Paddy was perfect for hiding a popstar, which was also why I’d selected it as one of our tour stops. Leo’s beard seemed longer and fuller, and he had on his signature plain ball cap. We were still sliding under the radar, and I knew Leo wanted to keep it that way. Which was fine with me. Escaping from the public eye was simply perfect.
“What do you want to drink?” he asked.
“Surprise me,” I said. He shrugged and headed to the bar while I took in the sights, sounds, and unfortunate smells of the bar. Still, I felt happy to be out, especially when Leo returned with my favorite drink, a martini.
“I didn’t even think they had these here,” I said, smiling. He had a beer for himself.
We sat back, music blaring as the karaoke machine kept going strong. Leo took in the bar, and I could see his eyes were exuberant.
“I’m sure this isn’t the usual scene you’re used to,” I said apologetically.
“It’s not. Which is exactly what I was hoping for. Besides, do you think I’m a snob or something?” he asked with a grin.
