Page 41 of Leo and His Love Bunny

I hold my hand out. “It’s nice to meet you, Addison.”

I almost think that she’s not going to shake it, but she does, although her grip is not very strong. It’s not quite two fingers, but close.

“Nora. Interesting. I didn’t know Leo was with someone.”

“I bet there are a lot of things about Leo that we don’t know.” I added the “we” hoping that she didn’t think I was attacking her. I’m sure my words are true. They’re true about almost everyone.

“I had our nanny pack a bag of snacks and drinks for the boys. I should be back long before lunch, but they’ll be hungry.”

“You can pick them up at the rink.” Leo doesn’t sound overly friendly, but Addison’s eyes light up like he is offering her a million bucks.

“Really? They’re going to love that! If I need to pay you for your time, I will.”

I cringe. And I feel Leo stiffen beside me. I’m not sure there is anything else she could say that would be worse.

The boys are arguing over a bag of chips that fell out of one of their bags, and I don’t think they heard. I wonder if they’re really interested in hockey or if it’s their mother pushing them.

“No need.” Leo’s words are said dismissively, and he turns from her, his arm going around me and tugging me closer. I move willingly. Whatever it is that he needs to get through this confrontation, I’ll give it to him.

“I’ll text you when we’re on our way,” she says as she opens her car door, still smiling at the idea of her boys getting “free” hockey instruction from the best player in town.

“That’s fine.” Leo turns away, and I turn with him.

The boys bounce around us as we walk to Leo’s car.

“What are we going to do?” Briggs asks as he skips along. I estimate his age to be around ten or so.

“I’m hungry,” Carson adds. I think he might be eight.

“We’re going to skate. That okay with you?” Leo lifts a brow and looks down at the boys. I see affection in his gaze and know that he really does love his stepbrothers.

“We’re gonna skate? Really?” Carson says incredulously.

“Mom said you were a jerk and you wouldn’t ever take us skating so we should just forget about it, and she makes us root for whatever team is playing against you when we’re watching hockey.”

I don’t think Briggs is old enough to know how his words are going to be taken. He’s just stating facts. But Leo stiffens beside me. His arm is still on the small of my back, and it clenches. I don’t even think about it. I put my arm around him and look up.

His eyes widen as he looks down at me. Maybe I overstepped with my arm, but I want him to know that I’m on his side no matter what. I also hope that my presence beside him will help him remember what he’d said earlier about being kind.

The tightness around his eyes eases as we walk side by side. He’s almost smiling when he looks away.

“That’s fine. I’m sure they love having you guys rooting for them,” he says, casually, as we stop beside an SUV. “Load up, boys.”

The boys yelp and open the doors as Leo unlocks it and the lights blink. To my surprise, Leo walks to my side and opens my door. I’m not sure what is happening between us. It makes me nervous, just because I know it can’t be anything permanent and I am not interested in temporary. Also, I don’t have time for this. My cupcake shop has taken off, orders are pouring in, I have the speaking series with Leo all summer, and my nemesis is opening up a competing shop across the road from me. The only reason I could go skating with him today is because it was so early.

But I’ve never met anyone quite like Leo and I’ve never felt like this with anyone else, either. But the most compelling thing is the character this man has. It’s so attractive, and I can’t resist the way he wants to do right. I’m afraid I might be falling for this man I can never have.

Chapter 18

Leo

That went so much better than I was expecting. Addison is still not my favorite person. That didn’t change overnight, but with Nora beside me, it wasn’t that hard to be civil to her. Maybe I’ll eventually be able to do “nice.” Nora doesn’t judge, but somehow she makes me want to be better.

Regardless, I definitely am not falling for her because of her skating skills. Those are nonexistent. I didn’t realize she couldn’t skate. It makes me wonder why she said yes when I asked her to come. A part of me is excited that she might have said yes just to be with me. But maybe she wanted to facilitate things between my stepmom and stepbrothers and just said yes because of that.

Anyway, I don’t realize right away that she can’t skate. Once we’re laced up, the boys pepper me with constant questions, and I throw a questioning look at Nora who smiles and nods, giving me permission to work with the boys.

The next thing I know, thirty minutes have gone by as I’ve given the boys some instructions and tips and I realize that Nora is hanging onto the side of the ring for all she’s worth, taking tentative little awkward steps and gliding about two inches with each one.

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