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“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Leland had revamped the bar’s website to now include the art portion of it. He’d be hosting his first sip-n-paint. I happily volunteered to handle the art studio’s food and drink orders while his head bartender and other staffers took care of the front.
“Okay. Cole will be making an appearance,” he said, a reminder that we couldn’t touch, ogle, or say anything too inappropriate to each other.
“I’ll be on my best behavior,” I promised.
He left, and I watched the clock all day, counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until I saw him again, even giving in and making my way to The Daisy a whole hour earlier than planned.
Leland worried that the noise from the bar would interrupt the art session happening in the back, but the volume didn’t travel too terribly, and what did, seemed to elevate the experience—rather than diminish it—by creating an easy-going atmosphere for the first-time artists.
I did the job I was hired for, only screwing up one order, and I made sure to treat Leland as if he were my son’s best friend, and not the best thing that ever happened to me.
When it was safe to, I found a corner and gave in to my urge to drop the facade and watch with pride as Leland shined brightly. And he didn’t only instruct from his raised platform. He came into the crowd, providing individual attention and offering tips and tricks. He’d picked something simple tonight. A single daisy floating in a cloudless blue sky.
I caught up with him once Cole left a couple of hours before closing. “You did great tonight,” I said, taking up a stool at the bar. Leland practically preened as he refilled the napkin dispenser.
“It was amazing,” he said. “And I heard back from the art school a few blocks over. They’re willing to partner with me in some way. We just need to hash out what that would look like.”
“You’re unstoppable,” I said, both of us forgetting the no staring rule. A customer tapped the bar top to get Leland’s attention. “Go ahead. I’ll wait here and then help you close up once the night is over.”
“You don’t have to. I might as well start sleeping in my own place again. Traveling downstairs versus across town will be less of a hassle now that I’ll be here every day. And we can’t exactly explain away my staying with you now that I can get around on my own.” His tone may have given the impression that he meant everything he’d just said, but his big brown eyes pleaded for me to stay. They begged me to demand he come home to me. I wouldn’t, though, because that wasn’t the key to passing this test, and there would be a series of other tests tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that, so I committed to acing them all, starting with this one. Leland wanted a more meaningful gesture. He wanted me to work for him. To work forus.
“Okay,” I said. “Call me tomorrow?”
“Yeah, of course,” he said, offering me a tight smile.
I couldn’t kiss him goodnight, so I settled for nodding before slipping through the door. I crossed the street, finding a lamppost to lean up against before pulling up the Uber app on my phone.
A little under two hours later, Leland and the remaining staff exited the bar and bid each other goodnight as he locked up before turning to the steel door leading up to his apartment. He stared at it as if he didn’t recognize it, as if he hated that he’d have to walk through it. I typed out a quick text and hit send.
Franklin:Look across the street.
At this hour, the streets were deathly silent, so I heard the ping sound off in his pocket. He dug around for his phone, his head whipping toward me as soon as he read the message. I sent him another one.
Franklin:Come home with me.
Leland read it, biting his bottom lip.
Franklin:We’ve got three minutes before the Uber driver leaves us.
He peered toward the black SUV idling two buildings down. Truth was, he’d been there a while now. I’d paid him handsomely to wait as long as it would take. Leland tapped away at his phone, and mine vibrated in my hand.
Leland:You mean three minutes before you both leaveme,don’t you?
Franklin:I’m not going anywhere without you, Leland. Never again. You either come with me or I stay here with you.
He didn’t make a move, and I eventually headed for the Uber. I told the driver he could go after tipping him extra, and I turned back in time to see Leland slipping through his apartment building door. “Leland!” I called, and he whirled around, surprise splashed over his face as he took in the retreating taillights of the Uber.
“I thought you decided to go,” he said.
In terms of actually fighting for him, this could be considered a minor scuffle. It didn’t do much to prove my intentions in the long run, but he needed it, so I didn’t question it. Anything he needed I would willingly give.
“Nothing could make me go, Leland.Nothing.”
He brushed a thumb over my lips, and I bit down on it gently. “I can’t believe you waited out here all of this time for me.”
“You’re worth the wait. Now, do I get to see your place?” I asked, backing him into the hallway, mindful of his booted leg.
