“This weekend maybe? It’d be nice to get out there before Memorial Day. It’s already been busier in town, but after that weekend, the summer season will be in full swing.”
It was hard to believe that May was nearly over. Memorial Day weekend was going to be busy at Lake Ridge, but I was excited for the challenge—and to get more people in the doors and trying the food.
“Let’s go Sunday. Do I need to bring anything to see this magical spot?”
“Some snacks or lunch wouldn’t be a bad idea. We’ll drive there and then it’s about a mile hike.”
“I’ll drive us, too.”
“Okay, cool. I’m excited to show you.” Eliza’s eyes sparkled as she looked up and then rested her head on my arm. “You’re pretty comfy, you know.”
“You would’ve found that out sooner if you didn’t run out of bed,” I whispered against her ear, pressing a kiss right below it.
She shivered as my hot breath hit her skin. “I’m not much of a cuddler.”
“Uh-huh,” I said skeptically with her curled against my side.
We stayed like that talking for another thirty minutes, and when I asked her a question and didn’t get a response, I realizedshe’d fallen asleep. I carefully maneuvered to get off the couch without waking her up and then scooped her into my arms, carrying her to bed.
I gently set her on the mattress, and as I pulled away, she set her hand on the side of my neck, keeping me close.
“Goodnight, Leo,” she murmured sleepily. “I’m glad you came over tonight.”
I was glad, too, and I wanted to tell her that if we were together, it could bethissimple. But instead, I said, “Goodnight, Eliza,” and pressed a kiss to her forehead before turning off the lights, ensuring her door was locked, and leaving for my apartment.
24
ELIZA
In the days that followed,Leo and I didn’t talk about what happened. We didn’t talk about how I said I cared about him. Or how he’d come over as soon as he realized something was wrong. And we certainly didn’t talk about how I pleaded that whatever was happening between us needed to stay casual.
As blurry as that line was getting, it needed to stay there.
Even if we were hanging out today.
Even if I was taking him to a spot I’d never taken anyone else.
I could tell myself all I wanted that it was because I wanted to give him inspiration for his tattoo, but I knew damn well it was because I trusted him. I trusted him enough to show him that I was worried, and that was fucking scary.
I worried about other people. I didn’t let them worry about me.
But I’d seen the concern on his face. The furrow in his brows. The downturn of his eyes. I couldn’t get that look out of my mind.
I couldn’t stop thinking about his grounding touch as he pulled me into his chest.
And then there was how comfortable it was to be in his embrace and to fall asleep. I vaguely remembered him carrying me to bed, and again, it was the tenderness that stood out to me.
I’d never felt that from someone I’d been with physically.
I felt safe with Leo, and it was because of the friendship we’d built. It had to be because of that.
I wasn’t letting my mind go anywhere else.
Even if we were spending the day together. As friends.
It was all as friends.
I grabbed my bag from a hook by the front door and threw in my sunglasses, water bottle, and sunscreen. I reached for my phone, seeing another text from Colin come through. We kept missing each other, which I was okay with, since I wasn’t exactly eager to talk to him or to find out what he wanted to tell me. I’d respond to him later.
