Page 48 of Leo and His Love Bunny

“Maybe he got called away for something.”

“He has my number.”

“But maybe he doesn’t know that you want him to text you and he doesn’t want to come off as overbearing or some kind of hovering, annoying person.”

Like Leo could ever be annoying. I try to consider whether Zoey has a point, and I just don’t think she does.

“He insisted on carrying me everywhere, spent the day with me. He’s not the kind of guy who’s afraid of being overbearing and annoying.”

“Maybe he wanted some sign from you.”

“You mean he wants me to chase him?” I was definitely brought up to work for what I want, but I was also brought up to not chase men.

“Not chase. Just...he probably doesn’t know how you feel about him any more than you know how he feels about you. He needs some kind of sign.”

I feel like I gave plenty of signs. I allowed him to carry me, for goodness’ sake. It’s not like I allow just anyone to do that. Ever.

But I don’t say that to Zoey. Because it doesn’t matter. “Maybe that’s for the best. I don’t know how I feel about him, and whatever it is, it can’t be serious. And I don’t do casual relationships. There’s no point. It’s just like asking for heartbreak.”

“Remember what I said about not pushing aside what God has given you.”

I heard her. And she’s right. Nothing happens without a reason. There’s a reason that Leo is in my life right now. And I’m in his. But a long-term, serious relationship? The only kind of relationship I’m interested in? Um, no. I’m sure God doesn’t have that in mind. He has a supermodel or someone like that for Leo. Not me. I mean, I know God loves me, but I don’t think He loves me enough to give me Leo.

But I know if I say that, Zoey will lecture me and tell me I’m not giving myself enough credit or something like that. Whatever friends are required to say to each other about this. But I know I’m right.

“What about you?” I ask Zoey.

“What about me?” she asks, again plucking a piece of grass up and tossing it into the river.

“You said when you quit your job and started voice acting that you’d consider a relationship when you were established. That was ten years ago. Surely you’re established now?’

She huffs out a breath. Humor or frustration or a mixture of both. “It’s a volatile industry. I’m in good shape, but I don’t have as much saved as I’d like to have.”

“And you might be missing what God has planned for you.”

“I’m keeping an eye out. But it’s not getting caught on anything.”

“It seemed to me that you and that cop that arrested you had a little chemistry.”

“Please don’t mention that. That is the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to me. I have blocked that memory from my brain.” She rips out an entire handful of grass and throws it into the river. She’s bothered by the memory, and I don’t think it’s because she thinks I’m wrong about the chemistry.

“He was a nice dude.”

“I was naked! I can’t face him again!” She practically wails her words. I understand. When someone has seen us at our worst, it’s hard to imagine they could think the best of us, like we want when we’re in a relationship with someone.

“But therewassomething there,” I repeat. I just want her to admit it.

“On my end. Of course. He was the total package. But I was a hot mess, and every time I see a man in blue, I get PTSD.”

I think she’s joking about that, but just in case, I don’t laugh. “Maybe it’s not PTSD. Maybe it’s your heart fluttering because of the infatuation you have over your cop dude.”

She laughs and pushes to her feet. “Maybe. You could be right. But that doesn’t change the fact that he was less than impressed with me and it takes interest on both of our parts in order for us to be more than a bad memory.”

I pull my leg from the stump and stand up. I have no right to be giving my friend a hard time when I don’t know what to do about Leo. I like him and want to hear from him, but at the same time, I know there will never be anything more between us and I don’t want to get any closer to him because my heart is in danger of getting bruised, if not broken.

Chapter 22

Leo

---