Page 16 of Leo and His Love Bunny

I shouldn’t have done it. If I didn’t know how terrible it is, I would have more confidence, because it’s way too late for me to do anything other than grab a hair clip and throw it back in a ponytail.

Now that I’ve done exactly everything I can possibly do, I run my hands down the front of my shirt, wishing I would have changed it after I got home instead of sitting on the floor and eating ice cream. What was I thinking? I stride with confidence and determination to my front door.

Actually, for some reason I’m leaning over forward like I’m dodging sniper fire or something.

I’m pathetic.

Taking a deep breath, pretending that I hope to see one of my girlfriends on the other side of the door, but knowing in my heart that I’m really hoping it’s Leo, even though I’m crazy nervous, I put a hand on the knob and open the door.

It’s Leo.

Chapter 8

Nora

I can’t believe he showed up. My heart is racing, and not because he’s one of the biggest and possibly the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen. There’s just something about that stubble that really gets me. Although, he truly does have huge biceps, and I know I stare for at least three long, awkward seconds at them, but I can’t rip my eyes away.

His lips flatten, and I blink internally. It almost looks like he’s irritated with my fascination over his biceps. I would have thought a guy like Leo, someone who was used to the adulation of hordes of people, especially women, would take it as his due or be flattered that someone had noticed his hard work. After all, biceps like that don’t just grow on trees. A person has to really work hard for them.

“Hey,” I say, feeling lame. But at least it comes out in a normal tone and not a squeak.

“Hey.” He pauses for a moment, and it feels awkward again as his cat turns big green eyes on me.

She’s a pretty orange tabby with a white bib and paws, and she blinks slowly at me.

I feel like this is going to be a catastrophe, since neither one of us seems to be able to talk. And then, the parakeet I’d forgotten about speaks. “Love bunny. Love bunny.”

The awkwardness is broken as we both laugh.

“I think your parakeet might have a thing for my cat,” he says.

I chuckle, because his cat has perked up and is staring at the parakeet. And I’m not an expert on cats, but if I had to interpret the look, it would not be an I want to eat you that’s why I am looking at you kind of look. But more like a you’re the mostbeautiful bird I’ve ever seen and I’d like to get to know you better look.

Again, I’m not exactly an expert on cats. Or parakeets for that matter.

“Love bunny. Love bunny,” Trixie says.

“That’s not my bird,” I say, just in case there really is something going on with him, since he does seem to be fascinated with this cat.

“It’s the one that the ladies have downstairs, isn’t it?” Leo says easily. “Trixie?”

“Yeah. Only it’s a boy.”

“I think I heard somewhere that only boy parakeets talk,” he says.

“I didn’t know that, but if that’s true, he must be a boy. I thought it was the beak. Since it’s blue. Only boys have blue beaks.” I step back away from the door and sweep a hand inside. “Please come in. I...owe you an apology.”

He grunts a laugh and shakes his head as he steps in, his hand drifting down his cat’s back. She seems content in his arms, although she does have her eyes focused on the parakeet.

“Come on into the living room. If you have time to sit down for a bit?”

“I don’t want to keep you up. I assume you probably have to be at work early.”

“Actually, one of the people I work with loves early mornings, and I like late nights, so I’m actually home earlier than I normally am.”

“You had a big day. Things looked busier than I’d ever seen them when I was in there.”

“I’m sorry about what happened,” I say, and I don’t blurt it quite as badly as what I thought I would. It’s funny how chill Leo is, and it’s rubbed off on me.

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