Page 77 of Wildcat
“Where are we going?”
“Dinner and a surprise.”
I don’t ask any more questions as he rests one hand on my thigh and drives away from the arena. He takes me to a little Italian place, where we sit side by side in a big booth.
“We’re totally one of those obnoxious couples,” I say, as the waiter flashes an amused smirk while dropping off the check.
“Don’t care,” he says as he briefly removes his hand to scribble his name on the receipt and pocket his card. When his hand returns, my nerve endings light up. “It’s the only way I get to touch you.”
His palm slides higher, and my stomach dips.
“Is the surprise going back to your place?” I ask hopefully.
Quiet laughter presses against my temple. He kisses me and then helps me up. “One more stop, and then you can take me home and ravage me.”
We walk down the street, hand in hand. It’s chilly out, and I left my jacket in the car.
I nuzzle against him.
He wraps an arm around my lower back. “This way.”
We head down a side street and into a parking lot that runs along the back of the businesses. “I wasn’t sure how you felt about being photographed with me, so we’re sneaking in the back.”
He holds open a door for me. I step inside tentatively. The warmth greets me, and noise from the building trickles into the backroom. There are shipping containers and cases of wine. Leo watches me as I take it all in. He grabs my hand and pulls me down a short hallway and into a sizable open space. Large black and white photographs are hung on the white walls, and people walk around and stand in front of them.
“Oh my gosh,” I shriek a little too loudly for this type of event, then lower my voice. “A photography exhibit? That’s what you chose as your A-list event?”
He shrugs it off. “I thought you might enjoy it.”
I pause and raise up on my toes to kiss him. “Thank you.”
“Welcome.” He brushes his lips across my lips for a second kiss. “I have to go out front and make sure someone takes my photo to appease Daria. You’ll be okay in here?”
“More than okay.” I glance around at all the large photographs. I can’t wait to inspect them closer.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” he promises.
I grab a flyer and a glass of champagne. I’m giddy as I walk around. The exhibit is calledFound Things, and each photograph features an object or thing found in an unexpected place. A shoe hanging from a stoplight. A letter shoved in the jamb of a door. A soccer ball in the ocean.
Leo’s back before I make it all the way around the exhibit.
“Sorry. That took longer than I expected.” He rests a hand on my lower back.
“Did you do Daria proud?”
“Yeah. For now. I’m sure she’ll be on my case again in a week or two.”
“I’m having a hard time feeling sorry for you.” I lift my champagne flute.
He takes it from me and sips it, then brings his mouth to mine. The sweet liquid mixed with his minty taste makes my body light up. It feels so much more intimate to be out in public with him, kissing and holding his hand, after being so careful at the arena.
“I mind them a lot less when you come with me,” he says when he pulls back and looks into my eyes.
“Well, if they’re all like this, I don’t think I mind so much either.”
“I’m serious,” he says, interlacing our fingers. “Wanna be my plus one?”
“Like…” I’m slow to put words in his mouth. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but it’s still so new.
