Page 34 of Bottle Rocket
She gave Leo the address, and he told her he’d see her soon. She set her phone down and turned to Tyler.
“Hot date?” he asked with a sly smile.
“No,” she lied. She didn’t want Tyler to tease her. He’d get the full Leo experience soon enough. “He was just saying hi.”
“Bummer. I’m behind on my soaps. Thought this might give me my fill of drama.”
“Sorry to disappoint.”
Not five minutes later, a motorcycle squealed into the gravel lot.
Leo swung a jean-clad leg over the seat to dismount. She loved his body. Not too tall, lean like a swimmer, wide shoulders, and narrow hips. She spotted the tattoo snaking up his neck, peeking over his leather jacket.
Tyler whistled. “I can get this one,” he said, sounding dazed.
She stifled a laugh. “Sure thing.”
Leo removed his helmet and shook out his dark, wavy hair. He strolled up to the counter, all loose hips and swagger. It was practically porny, like one of those wet T-shirt videos. She was going to memorize that whole sequence and masturbate to it once Leo was off in Memphis banging other people.
“Hey,” Tyler said. “What can I help you with?”
Leo smiled at Tyler, then let his eyes wander over to Rosie, locking her in place with his gaze. “I think I’ve found what I’m looking for.”
Rosie laughed. “That was so corny.”
Leo shrugged and leaned against the counter.
Tyler’s mouth popped open in understanding. “Well, hello, Mr. Motorcycle.”
Leo blushed, which Rosie found unbelievably delightful. She could have watched Tyler flirt with Leo for hours if that was how he was going to react.
“Leo, this is my coworker Tyler. Tyler, this is Leo Whittaker. His parents own Froth and Forage.”
“Oh! My ex loved that place,” Tyler said.
“But not you?” Leo asked.
“Nah. I’m not into that swanky stuff.”
Leo chuckled. “Me neither, man.” He cleared his throat. “Actually, I might have Fourth of July plans. Maybe I should buy fireworks, just in case.”
“We’re here to help,” Tyler said.
“You can’t transport fireworks on that thing,” Rosie said, nodding toward his bike.
“Hmmm. Maybe you could put them in your car and follow me home? Would that be a good compromise, Rosie Posey?” Leo openly eye-fucked her again, and she started to sweat.
“Not if you keep calling me that.”
Leo bit his lip on a smile as if he knew she liked the nickname—which she did—but disagreed because she liked to be disagreeable. Also true.
“Should I buy the ones with the coolest names?” Leo asked. “What’s that say? Buzzing Bumblebee?”
“One of the variety packs would be my suggestion for a party,” Tyler said. Variety packs had been their mantra all day. It was the easiest, most economical choice. “That way you won’t have to make a ton of little decisions. These have firecrackers, including snakes, snappers, smoke bombs, champagne poppers, and flashlight crackers as well as fountains and a handful of aerials.”
“Variety is the spice of life, huh?” Leo said. “When I was a kid, we played with these fireworks that were attached to a long stick. The stick would direct where the firework would fly. Do you know what I’m talking about? They were fun. Dangerous, though.”
“Bottle rockets,” Rosie blurted, unable to help herself. She’d always been a relentless know-it-all. “They’re illegal in some states.”
