Page 45 of Leo and His Love Bunny

“Okay. I’ll do it for the rest of today.”

He smiles like he just won a contest. “That’s a good girl.”

“Not if you’re gonna talk like that,” I warn, but there’s no bite, because he was goofing as well.

“Nope. You already agreed. Can’t back out now,” he says as he stands up, then carries my skates over and puts them on the counter. He has his off and back in the bag and has it stowed in his locker before I’ve gotten the shoe on my good foot. It’s hard to balance while keeping my other foot off the floor.

“Ready?” he asks.

“Are you sure I’m not too heavy?” I say, a little embarrassed. Maybe if I did less “taste-testing” of my cupcakes and more working out (who am I kidding? Maybe if I worked out, like,ever.), I wouldn’t be so heavy. But he is right—I agreed and it’s too late to think about my weight, so I don’t.

I focus instead on the feel of his arms around me and the way his shoulders bunch and flex under my hand as he picks me up and I slip my arm around his neck to hold on tight. I notice the faces of the few people we pass on the sidewalk, and I reach down without him saying anything as he lowers me enough to grab the door handle and open the passenger door of his SUV.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy every single moment of this and wish it lasted longer. Other than not wanting to be a burden on him, I could have it last forever.

He sets me gently on the seat and hands me my seat belt. My hand meets his in front of my chest, and I wonder if I would have just sat there if he would have buckled me himself. I wish I would have tried to find out. I haven’t been this pampered in a long, long time.

I check the time as he walks around the vehicle. I have plenty of time to take a shower and get ready for work. And it hits me that I’m going to be spending the rest of the day with Leo.

Didn’t he have any plans for the day?

As he’s putting his seat belt on, I ask, “Are you sure I’m not messing up your plans for the day?”

“It’s the off-season. All I have are the speaking engagements on the calendar I sent you. Speaking of, I’m adding the number of people expected to attend as I get the answers back, so you can check it for totals. I’ve been warned by several events that they really don’t know, but you’ll be paid for all the cupcakes you bring whether they’re eaten or not.”

That sounds a little suspicious to me. I’ve been a business owner for long enough to know that companies, if they want to stay solvent, anyway, can’t just throw money at stuff and see no return for it. They can’t buy cupcakes for no reason.

But I don’t know what, exactly, is wrong. “Are you strong-arming people into ordering cupcakes for these things?” I’m not sure what I’m going to do if he says yes. Should I even look a gift horse in the mouth?

“Define ‘strong-arm.’”

“Are you forcing them to have cupcakes?”

“I’m telling them if they want me to speak, I come with cupcakes. So far, everyone’s said yes.”

Chapter 20

Leo

Nora nods, although her lips flatten, and she sits back in her seat.

That felt like a close one. I answered honestly, but I feel guilty. I don’t want her to know when I tell these people that I come with cupcakes, I mean that I’m paying for them. I figure it can only help me. After all, if my speech is a flop, at least people will go home with good memories of beautiful and delicious cupcakes. As far as I can see, it’s a win-win. But I know Nora will not agree with me and will be upset that I am doing what I’m doing.

I’m just going to have to make sure she doesn’t find out.

I pull into the apartment building lot and can’t help casting a longing look at the river. I enjoyed my time with Nora there and wouldn’t mind making it an evening thing. Except she works most evenings.

So, I suppose the next best thing is what I’m doing right now—spending the day with her. I had to bargain to get it, but it is worth it.

As we stop, she reaches for her door. I give her a look. She grins and shrugs.

She’s so cute.

I have to smile.

Her hand drops from the door latch, and I almost say, “Good girl,” but I think that might be pushing it.

I come around the side and open her door. She’s blinking up at me with an angelic expression on her face like she’s waiting for me to praise her.

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