Page 13 of Happily Ever Never

It was weird that I noticed that at all. I didn’t even knowhim, other than that he seemed nice and was talented, at least from what Icould tell. He was also a friend of my friends. And, in a way, he had saved myfavorite little boy’s life, even though he hadn’t really been in danger.Besides that, I didn’t know Leo.

Since he didn’t look at me with any interest and moved hisarm swiftly, I figured he didn’t want to know more about me. That was fine. Iwas used to it.

“I’ll go get something to drink. Long day,” Tristan said ashe got up without asking anybody for their order.

“I take it he knows what you want?” I asked, my lipstwitching

“He thinks he does,” Taryn said with a laugh before shefollowed him.

That left Leo, who looked between us. “I didn’t know you twoknew each other.”

“Denver is a small world,” Daisy said with a laugh.

“Truer words have never been spoken,” Leo agreed.

Did I detect a spark there? Or maybe I was simply seeing thingsbecause I wanted a spark of my own. I needed to stop worrying. My future wouldcome. I was happy with my life. Just because I was going down this road thanksto a promise I had made on my father’s deathbed, that didn’t mean I had toworry about the outcome continually. Things would happen when they did. I hadto stop focusing on the negative.

“You look pretty tonight, May,” Taryn said as she sat in thebooth again.

She handed me my latte and Daisy her cupcake, and I noddedin thanks.

“So…were you out tonight, Daisy?” I asked, trying to fillthe silence.

“I’m wearing sweats, but thank you for thinking this is mydate attire.”

“You look hot in sweats,” I teased.

“Tell me more,” Tristan said with laughter, and Tarynsmacked the back of his head.

“Weirdo.”

“Sorry. I can’t help it. I’m a guy.”

“You’ll notice I didn’t say anything like that,” Leo saidprimly.

“Because I said it first,” Tristan mumbled, and we alllaughed, taking some sips of our drinks.

“But seriously, you do look nice,” Leo said, looking down athis drink.

I shrugged. “I had a date. Now, I don’t.”

“Do I have to knock some heads?” Taryn asked, and Tristanwinked.

“We’re good at it,” Tristan put in.

“When have you had practice?” Leo asked before holding uphis hand. “No, don’t incriminate me or put me into something after the fact.”He turned to me. “I’m sorry your date went bad.”

“Well, I thought it was going good.And then he said I reminded him of his ex and that he still loved her. Then hewalked away and left me alone in the park.”

Leo’s gaze went dark. “He left you alone at night downtown? Okay, now we’re going to knock some heads.”

Everybody started grumbling, and I smiled, shaking my head.“Stop. I’m fine. He left me alone in a lighted section. I hope he’s happy.”

“You’re a better person than I am,” Taryn added.

“No, I’m just used to it.” At the questioning looks, Ishrugged. “It’s nothing. Now look at me. I ended up with friends at a coffeeshop in the evening with a great latte. It sounds like a pretty good way towind down.”

Leo gave me a look before the conversation shifted toDaisy’s future plans. She growled at them and didn’t completelyanswer the questions, but I knew she would find her way eventually. She alwaysdid. She had her family and friends to back her up. While I sat with people whoweren’t quite friends but could be one day, they were good people. And I wasn’talone.