Page 46 of The Ruckup
Isla’s shoulders drop as she lets out a loud sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
Alexis narrows her eyes at her redheaded friend. “I’m still mad at you.”
Isla grins back at her. “No you’re not. That’s just how your face looks.” She turns to me, leaning an elbow on the counter. “Well, since we can’t talk about Alexis, and no one else here is getting laid, why don’t you tell us how you and Leo got together.”
I guess turnabout is fair play. Rubbing my lips together, I try to decide where to begin. “Leo and I have known each other for a while. Our parents are friends.” My eyes dart to Alexis as I continue. “Never in a million years did I think I would want to have another relationship. Especially so soon.” I lift my shoulders in a small shrug. “But it just sort of happened.”
To my surprise, Leo’s sister huffs out a little laugh, offering me a genuine smile as she says, “I understand completely.”
16
One Time is All it Takes
Leo
WHEN I PICK Maddie up from Hazel’s, she’s fucking glowing. Grinning from ear to ear while everyone waves and blows kisses to her as they walk to their own cars.
Shifting into drive, I get out of their way since I’m blocking at least a couple of them in. “I take it you had a good time?”
“I did.” Maddie turns her grin my way. “They were all so nice.”
“Good.” I reach over to take her hand in mine. “Anything interesting happen?”
Maddie’s smile freezes and she looks a little surprised by my question.
Maybe girls’ night is sacred. Something no one discusses outside the safety of the feminine circle.
Like fight club, but with more wine and less drama.
“Nope.” She pops the P in a way that draws my gaze to her full lips. “We just ate a bunch of sushi and talked.”
I clear my throat, dragging my eyes back to the road where they belong. “Sounds way more exciting than my night.” I lean back in my seat, trying to look like the sight of Maddie happy isn’t going straight to my dick. “Abuela and I just hung out with Cupcake and watched television.”
Maddie sits up a little straighter. “You went to my abuela’s?”
“I called to make sure she was doing okay and didn’t need anything since I had some free time on my hands, and she invited me over so she could teach me how to feed you properly.” I grin. “She taught me how to make picadillo and pineapple coconut agua fresca.”
Maddie’s dark brows lift. “Yeah?” She looks impressed. “Were there any leftovers?”
“Want to check my work?” I turn into my subdivision. “Because Cupcake said it was perfect.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “Cupcake licks her own butt.”
My laugh is overly loud thanks to the confines of my car, but I can’t help it. “All that’s left is some of the agua fresca, and I really hope it tastes better than Cupcake’s butt.”
Maddie grins at me as I pull into the driveway and park. “I’m not sure we’ll ever know, because I’m not licking her butt to find out.”
I love getting to see this side of Maddie. The comfortable side. The silly side. The relaxed side. I want more of it.
And I’m happy to do what it takes to get there.
I hold her hand as we follow the path to the front door. Once inside, I go straight to the fridge and pull out the pitcher Abuelasent home with me. I pour Maddie a tall glass and offer it up for judgment.
She takes a sip, eyes closing on a smile. “I love pineapple coconut agua fresca."
"I know." I slide the pitcher back into the fridge. "That’s why your grandmother showed me how to make that one.”
I like having Abuela on my side. It makes me feel a little less like it’s just me and Maddie against the world.
