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I made it safely back into the bathroom to change without incident, throwing on my black shorts and a Larkspur T-shirt that said, ALLOW ME TO WET YOUR WHISTLE. The shorts were much shorter than would have been appropriate to wear in front of Leo’s parents—the thought of Alaric seeing me so exposed gave me an ick I couldn’t shake off, and the last thing I needed was to give Christine any more fuel. So I decided to hunt for something of Leo’s that I could wear around the apartment until it was time to leave for work later this afternoon.
I set out to search through his dresser drawers, looking through the perfectly folded clothes as respectfully as possible, until at last I found his stash of sweatpants and pulled on a pair of soft black ones over my shorts. They were a bit too big around the waist and much too long, but after some cinching and cuffing I got them into a wearable state.
When there was nothing left to do but face the inevitable, I sauntered out of the bedroom and down the hall. When I neared the kitchen, I heard some hushed voices and slowed my steps to try to listen in.
“I just don’t understand what’s kept you away from home this long, honey. It’s obvious to us that there’s nothing good for you out here,” Christine said with a tone that was both admonishing and pleading.
“She’s right, son,” came Alaric’s voice next. “You’ve had your space, and clearly you’ve had your fun, but it’s time to get yourself back on track. Whether you decide to keep ownership of that club or not, it seems to run just fine on its own. Hell, it’s not the worst thing in the world to add to your portfolio. But your future is in New York with Callahan Enterprises. It’s your destiny, Leopold. Why don’t you take a couple of days to get your things in order, and come home with us on Sunday.”
I heard Leo sigh, and it sounded so defeated it nearly broke my heart. I waited for him to fight back, to tell his parents to go to hell for the way they treated him last night. But there was only silence.
He wasn’t actually considering it, was he?
I rounded the corner into the kitchen, and three sets of eyes snapped to me. I quickly found the pair of warm blue ones that I was growing to be rather fond of, and watched as they fell to the pants I was wearing before a soft smile played on those full, pouty lips. “Good morning, everyone,” I greeted, as if I hadn’t already gotten quite the good morning salute from Leo this morning.
Alaric cleared his throat. Christine turned away from me and opened the fridge, no doubt intending for the dismissal to land just how it did.
But Leo’s smile only grew as his eyes found mine again. “Good morning, Mara.” He’d pulled on a black crew-neck sweater and gray jogging shorts, and I wondered if he might be planning to go out for a run. He gripped the handle of a black coffee mug, and I flushed at what else I’d just seen that hand wrapped around.
“Hope it’s okay I helped myself to some sweatpants,” I said, looking down at the black cotton hanging from my hips.
His eyes dipped again, dancing with amusement. “More than okay,” he assured. “You know that, sweetheart.”
Oh, right. I should know that almost a year into dating someone.
“I take it you work today?” Alaric asked dryly as he eyed my shirt.
“Yes,” I confirmed with a bright smile. “You know, Leo and I would love to have you and Christine come by and see our lovechild for yourselves.”
Christine choked on her own spit from somewhere in the fridge.
“Is that so?” Alaric’s eyes focused on me, seeing the challenge for what it was.
“Yep.” I popped the P with delight. “We even have a DJ tonight. He’s an excellent mixer . . . really gets the crowd going.” I shot a look at Leo, finding him watching me carefully now. “Hell,” I said. “You should invite Tanner. Maybe he’ll have more fun surrounded by people his own age.”
“I think Leo and I have important things to discuss about his future,” Alaric said outright. “But I sincerely thank you for such a warm invitation.”
“What about his future?” I countered. “He’s building a future here, in Denver. Don’t you see that?”
The old man in front of me laughed, and my fists clenched. “You really think a girl like you and that . . . that bar are a future for my son?”
“Dad,” Leo warned. “Enough.”
Alaric shrugged. “She’s the one poking the bear.”
I let out my own sarcastic laugh. “Let me guess, you’re the bear?” Christine shut the fridge door and moved to stand next to her husband, eyeballing me with disgust. I guess she wasn’t used to anyone talking back to Alaric either.
“No,” he spat. “The bear is the truth blaring right in front of you. Leo doesn’t belong here in this dump of a city. He belongs in New York where opportunity awaits him. You’re only holding him back, honey, and the sooner you realize it, the better off he’ll be.”
Something violent and aching ripped through me. “If you really cared about your son, you would give a shit or two about what he wants,” I seethed.
His mouth curled with wicked intent. “Sometimes it’s the responsibility of a parent to course-correct when our children aren’t seeing things clearly,” he explained, as though speaking to a first grader. “My son may think that he has it all figured out, that he wants you. But he’ll come to understand that all of this has merely been a distraction from his real destiny.”
I felt hot tears sting in my eyes just as Leo’s hand wrapped around my shoulder, pulling me into his chest. I hadn’t even realized he’d moved around the island to get to me. My eyes stayed locked on Alaric as Leo’s arms wrapped around me—always right there to soothe. “You don’t deserve him,” I whispered.
This time, it was Christine who clicked her tongue before looking up at her husband. “Come, dear. It’s obvious there’s no getting through to her. Let’s just move on and freshen up, shall we?”
“Of course, my love,” Alaric said to his wife, following her back to the hallway that led to their room.
