Page 85 of Butterfly

Maggie checked her watch. “It’s getting late.”

Leo licked salt from his fries from his fingers. “But—”

“You’ve got school tomorrow.”

Leo rolled his eyes.

Ollie bit his lip. “Can I visit this weekend?”

Maggie nodded. “Of course. Do you need me to come get you?”

“I’ll take the train.”

“And you’ll stay over?” Leo asked.

Ollie nodded. “If I can.”

“But first, you’ve got to check out courses with Rory.” Leo darted suspicious looks between them.

“Something like that,” Ollie answered.

Leo raised an eyebrow.

“We’d better be going to,” Rory said. “Sebastian will be getting worried.”

“Sebastian?” Leo asked.

“My boyfriend.”

“Oh.” Leo leaned back in his chair. “So you’re not the one that’s been sending the love letters.”

“Love letters?” Ollie asked.

“Your bag. It’s full of paper. I assumed they were love letters.”

“They’re stories mostly.” Ollie reached down to check the bag was still between his legs.

“Stories you’ve written?”

“Stories someone wrote me.”

Rory stood up, patting himself down to check he had his keys and his wallet. He gave Ollie a pointed look, and he got up too and clutched the bag to his chest.

“It was nice seeing you again,” Rory said, shaking Leo’s, then Maggie’s hand.

He backed up a step and waited for Ollie to say his goodbyes.

Leo crushed him in a hug, and Maggie squeezed his shoulder.

Ollie didn’t remember the walk to Rory’s car, nor climbing inside and clipping on his seatbelt. He sank into his seat with a long exhale.

“Good?” Rory asked.

Ollie nodded, then blurted, “I’m sorry.”

Rory started the engine. “What for?”

“Inviting myself to your place.”

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