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“Reporters. There’s one at the bar asking about Leo Turner. Someone in the bathroom was talking about it. There’s a whole group of women now ready to pounce at the mention of him. Someone must have tipped him off, and he’s on a mission,” she said.
“Shoot,” Leo said, guzzling a few gulps. “I better go.”
“I’m going, too, then,” I said, looking at Grace.
“No, you two can stay,” Leo argued.
“Girl, you can go. I’ve got a guy over there I’m anxious to get back to,” Grace said, winking.
“I don’t want to leave you alone,” I said, eyeing Grace and Leo with indecision.
“I’m fine, really.” She turned around. “You need to go now. That’s him.”
I peered around Grace to see a guy in a suit jacket heading our way. His phone was out, and he was scoping the place like he was looking for lost treasure. If word got out about Leo, then it was done. Our summer of peace, his summer escape...it was all over.
“Let’s go,” I ordered, and Leo pushed his way through the crowd. I followed as best as I could, trying to keep up. He kept looking back at me. I turned around to see the man talking to Grace. She had his arm and was steering him to the other end of the club. She turned in time to catch my eye, and I nodded at her. She was a real friend. The best of the best.
We didn’t stop to talk until we were out the back exit and safely away from the club. Leo had met us there, so we hopped in his car and zoomed out of the parking lot, only exhaling when we were safely tucked away in front of the condo.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t the best night,” Leo said, turning to me. “Between your ex and this.”
“Thank you for what you said to Brad. I mean it. I appreciate you sticking up for me.”
“Sorry, I should have stayed out of it. But I hated his smug look. He doesn’t deserve you.” Leo reached for my hand. My heart fluttered. I stared into his eyes, knowing that falling for Leo Turner was the most foolish thing I could do. What were the chances for us? Brad’s words floated in my head, no matter how much I tried to silence them. Still, as we sat in the silence of the car, I thought he might kiss me. I thought it might change everything.
“I’m sorry the stupid reporter ruined the rest of the night, too. I knew this couldn’t last forever.” He pulled back. I didn’t know if he meant Ocean City...or us. Either way, he was right. This was on a timer, and it seemed like the sand was slowly trickling down.
“I wonder how he found you,” I said, thinking about what a mess of a night it had been.
“They always do. I’m surprised I’ve lasted this long,” he replied, turning his baseball cap backwards. My heart fluttered again.
I wanted to ask what he would do now that they were closing in, but I didn’t. I was too scared to hear the answer.
“I better get home, just in case the reporter is out and about,” he said.
“Thanks for bringing me home,” I said. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.
I waved to him after shutting the door. He waited to make sure I got inside. Once at the elevator, I studied it for a moment. I was restless and didn’t feel like going home. I made my way down the hall to 113. But with my hand poised on the door ready to knock, I heard giggling.
“I’ll get more popcorn,” I heard Dorothy’s voice say. I could hear the muffled sounds of some sort of action movie. I smiled. Another date with Fred. I pulled my hand back and softly clinked down the hallway, not wanting to interrupt. She’d found love again, and it was good that she wasn’t alone.
I headed to the elevator, resting on my crutches in silence, alone but content, too.
At least for the moment.
