Page 172 of Her Wicked Plan

He mentioned his sister's ex, Carter's father, Jeremy, who is a deadbeat and never wants to spend time with his son. Leo didn't linger on that topic much because he was getting frustrated by this man's behaviors.

Then he slipped into telling me about his dad, who owns a car garage and could probably retire if he really wanted to, but the man loves work too much.

Myles came up briefly when Leo told me his best friend was like a second son to his parents. Myles' parents weren’t the best, but Leo’s family took him in as one of their own. He came to all the holidays, casual dinners, and, most of the time, to hang out.

He went on and on about his family, saving the best for last.

His mother.

Jennifer used to be a florist at a shop in their little town. She loved gardening so much that she would donate flower seeds and gardening tools to multiple charities—one of which was for troubled kids—in the off-season.

She’d also help at the public library and lead story times with the children. She was a giver. His mother wanted to do everything in her power to make people happy and to help those who were unfortunate enough to fall into the lives they did.

Leo's speech about his mother was full of love. Even when his voice cracked, and he started crying, you could hear the light in his voice. I squeezed his hand, which he’d been holding the entire time, reassuring him it was okay and that I was still there.

He continued telling me how he felt his world crumble at the news of his mother, how he didn’t know how the world would go on without her.

A literal angel gaining her wings to be sent back to Heaven.

After he told me stories about his family, we sat silently for a while. Not because I didn’t have words to say but because it felt right. Us sitting together, Leo holding my hand tightly in his, it felt that we belonged to each other.

I twist in his lap, staring at his sad eyes before kissing his lips. “She sounds like an amazing woman. Your whole family sounds great,” I say, biting back the jealousy roaming my body.

“She is, and they are.”

I wipe away a tear with the pad of my thumb and kiss his nose. “You’ll all have each other when the time comes. You’ll get through it together.”

“And I’ll have you.” With my hand still holding his face, he turns to kiss the palm. “You said I’d have you too.”

My heart pounds against my chest. “You’ll have me.”

He smirks against my hand. What a blissful moment—a vulnerable time I’m finding myself wanting more of. Closing my eyes, I push that thought to the back of my mind until a knock sounds at the door.

Breaking the spell.

I stand up in a hurry and go to my respective seat. Leo stands, wiping his eyes. “Shit. Can you tell I’ve been crying?”

“Kind of, but it’s not bad.”

He heads for the door. Dr. Bennett stands on the other side, smiling. “Dr. Madden, how are you doing?”

“I’ve been better.”

Dr. Bennett peeks around Leo. “Hello, Ms. Rollins.”

“Hey, Henry.” I wave. The man in charge eyes me with suspicion, wondering why I sound so nice.

Then Leo speaks, “Our session was about to end if you need to see me.”

“Oh, it’s nothing important,” he dismisses the suggestion. I'm sure he came here to talk about me and get updates on how I’m doing.

Pushing myself up from the chair and heading for the door, I say, “I’ll leave so you can speak about me privately.”

Without letting them answer, I squeeze past Dr. Bennett and leave them to it.

CHAPTER 45

Leo