Page 74 of All I Want Is Love
The Aspen tosses me a knowing gaze, instead of teasing me for my very obvious discomfort, he just nods. “Michael Grant,” he says. “He is the CEO of the company Leo worked for. When I couldn’t reach Leo, I called him, ready to tear into him, but he was actually very worried and helpful. He fully believed in Leo’s innocence.”
“So, a decent guy?” Valentina asks.
“Seems like it,” Aspen says. “But keep in mind I don’t know him any more than you do.”
Michael and Leo shake hands, and Leo smiles.
“Do you know why he is here?” Aspen asks Robin.
Robin shrugs. “It seems like Michael is coming with good news. He approached us and asked to talk to Leo. Something about him offering Leo his job back. That’s all I know.”
“That’s already plenty,” Aspen says, clearly stunned.
“And?” Valentina pushes. “What did he answer?”
“You mean Leo?” Robin asks.
“Goodness, Robin, yes!” Valentina exclaims. “Give us something. You usually love gossip.”
“I am sorry.” Robin looks a tad flustered. “I really don’t know more. That Michael guy pulled Leo aside before he answered.”
Leo and Michael shake hands once more. Michael says something, and Leo laughs. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. It’s not like I think that Leo will jump the next hot guy he meets, but it’s the way he smiles and how happy he looks.
I know that Leo loved his job, he loved what he was doing, and he was good at it. Everything he did for the town the past couple of weeks is proof of how talented he is. I don’t know a lot about him yet, but I know that design is his passion, anything that sparks his creativity. I am not surprised that his old boss wants him back. Seeing how dedicated, talented and reliable he is, any company would want him.
“Here they come,” Valentina blurts out. “Pretend like we were just talking about something else.”
“Yeah, very believable, considering how we were being really subtle,” Aspen mutters.
“Guys!” Leo comes walking towards us at a fast pace with his former boss in tow. “I am sorry. I let myself be dragged away for half an hour.”
“More like my fault, not yours,” Michael says, a smirk curling his lips.
Robin and Valentina exchange a meaningful gaze, wiggling their brows.
Michael reaches out his hand to shake Aspen’s. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person,” he says.
“Likewise,” Aspen smiles.
He smiles.
Aspen usually never smiles at strangers.
Who am I even kidding? The guy is fucking perfect. He has dark, sleek hair, perfectly styled, is wearing a fashionable suit and an equally fashionable coat on top of it. And he doesn’t need glasses. “You probably know it already,” Leo says. “But Michael is my former boss. He helped me a lot.”
“I’d say we are more friends than anything else,” Michael says, once more showing us his perfect smile with his even more perfect teeth.
“So, you are a CEO?” Robin asks curiously.
“And a model,” Leo explains. “He modeled for some of my ad campaigns at least.”
“Of course he did,” Robin says, for the first time since I know him, he looks flabbergasted. Michael’s radiant charisma might even be too much for him.
“I am going to look for Hector,” Valentina says. “Before I forget I have a husband.”
“Are you staying the night?” Aspen asks. “Or longer?”
“I can’t stay for more than the night,” Michael says. “There is an inn here that looks pretty comfortable.”
