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The intercom buzzes and we exchange a look.
“This is it,” I say. “He’s here.”
“Any second thoughts before I let him in?”
“No. But what if Leo doesn’t want to continue after our trial week?”
Zay takes me by the shoulders and looks into my eyes. “Mr. I-do-everything-by-the-book would not have suggested this unless he was sure. So, just go be your beautiful self and enjoy it.”
I hug him tight. “What would I do without you, Zay?”
“Baby Girl, you’ll never find out.”
CHAPTER 19
Jazz
I GATHER MY TOILETRIES INTO my make-up bag and leave the bathroom, making my way down the hallway to the living room where Zay and Leo are engaged in conversation. Leo looks polished and sophisticated, as if he’s dressed in a business suit and wingtips rather than a navy jogging outfit and black runners. It’s his secret side that I adore, the mussed-up, dirty-talking man that I get to see behind closed doors.
As Leo catches sight of me, he grins and his long legs gracefully span the distance in just a few easy strides. “Jazz,” he says my name on a breath and kisses me. The touch of his lips instantly prickles my skin with goosebumps, reminding me of the sensation of having Leo’s mouth all over my body.
Amusement warms his eyes as if he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Ready?” he asks.
“All packed,” I say, tingling with nervous excitement.
Zay and Leo grab the box and suitcase from my room, and we head out to Leo’s car. While he packs the trunk of his Audi, Zay gives me a thumbs up of approval. But that doesn’t stop him from issuing a warning. “Hurt her, Foster, and I will hunt youdown. Don’t be fooled by this pretty black face. I will have your balls for lunch, and not in a good way.”
“Zay!” I exclaim.
“It’s all right,” Leo assures me. “Zay cares about you.” He extends his hand to my dramatic friend. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“You better not.” Zay shakes his hand before he turns to me for an effusive hug. “I’m going to miss you to death.”
“I’m going to miss you too.”
“I told Leo how to froth the milk just the way you like it,” Zay whispers in my ear. “But he’ll probably fuck it up, since he’s some weird alien who doesn’t even drink coffee.”
I laugh at his disgruntled tone and give him another long hug. We’re both being extra; it’s only a week. But we haven’t spent that long apart since becoming roommates.
“You all right?” Leo asks as we embark on the short drive to his place.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to this. It’s just been an emotional day.”
He lifts my hand and brings it to his mouth. “I’ll pamper you tonight.”
I’m not entirely sure what all that entails, but my body thrums at the possibilities.
After unpacking, with Leo’s approval of my decorating choices, I introduce him to the photos of my mom. He sees the resemblance in our eyes and holds me close as I tearfully share some of my memories. Mom would love him. She’d see past his outward rigidity, like I have, to the tenderness inside.
“Have you ever lived with a woman before?” I ask as I put my clothes into the empty drawers he’s given me.
“Nope.”
Knowing I’m the only woman to experience this with him affects me deeply. “Have you ever been in love?”
“A few times. You?”
“I thought so at the time. Now I’m not sure.”
