Page 66 of The Mogul: Leonard

I glance at Leonard, wondering if he’ll be irritated by Aaron’s comment, but to my surprise, he’s smiling. This is a refreshing change, and I’m glad I could bring it into his life. He’s usually so grumpy and serious; this feels like a significant accomplishment.

“Okay, does nobody want to acknowledge what the real problem is here?” Harrison asks, looking incredulous as we all turn to face him.

“What are you talking about?” Sienna replies, rolling her eyes, likely used to his dramatic antics.

“The fact that at her sister’s wedding, she was clearly fawning over me, and how she got over her crush so quickly,” he jokes.

We all let out a collective groan of amusement. Typical Harrison.

“Quickly? It’s been four years!” Silver chimes in.

“I don’t want to crush your dreams, but as soon as I saw Leonard at the wedding, I completely forgot you were there,” I add, only half-joking.

Everyone bursts into laughter, and Harrison clutches his chest, his mouth wide open in mock disbelief.

“You are so, so cruel,” he replies, feigning hurt in his voice.

I turn to Leonard and am surprised to see admiration in his eyes as he looks at me. A blush creeps up my cheeks, making me feel warm. Is it just me, or does he gaze at me as if there are deeper feelings hidden beneath that perfect exterior?

I’m so focused on him that I barely notice everyone standing up around us.

“Silver, you have to teach me how to make that amazing cocktail you prepared last time,” Dakota chirps.

My sister smiles. “The secret is spanking the mint.” She winks at her.

“What?” Aaron asks, half intrigued and half worried.

“Do I even want to know?” Raphael adds.

I laugh, and Sienna looks intrigued too.

“Yes! Instead of simply breaking the mint’s leaves, you have to clap them between your hands to make the flavor pop. Spank the mint!” she explains, clapping her hands.

“Just when I thought I’d heard everything, you manage to surprise me,” Leonard mumbles, shaking his head as he helps me stand up to follow the others into the kitchen.

As soon as I pass my sister, she reaches out her hand to stop me. Now that the others are out of earshot, I know she has something to ask. Her silence earlier had been too suspicious.

She smiles at me. “Leonard?”

“It wasn’t planned,” I reply, nervously shifting my feet.

“I don’t think these kinds of things can be planned.” She raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

“Does he make you happy?” she asks, probing when I remain silent.

“Yes,” I respond so quickly that the realization catches me off guard. It’s true. We had been so caught up in the intensity of our physical relationship that I never took the time to consider my feelings for him. And I’d been angry with him for so long I overlooked the possibility of feeling something else. Am I happy? Yes. Does this happiness outweigh the resentment I held for him? The answer is yes again.

“Are you upset because I didn’t tell you?” I finally express what has been bothering me.

She frowns. “Why should I be? As Leonard said, when you’re ready to share, I’m here to listen. We should apologize for ‘outing’ your relationship before you were ready.”

“It’s not your fault either. But I’m glad you’re not angry with me about…him.”

“He’s a good guy. If he treats you the way you deserve and makes you happy, who am I to tell you not to date him?”

A genuine smile spreads across my face. I didn’t realize how much I valued my sister’s opinion until I thought I had disappointed her. It’s surprising, considering we grew up apart.

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