Page 74 of Love Me Carefully
“Okay. Well, let me get back to work so I can get to you as soon as possible. I miss you like crazy.”
Leah blushed. Terrell had been so caring and attentive in the week since their return from Jamaica. “I miss you too, baby. You hurry up with your work while I finish up here and I’ll be waiting for you at home.”
“That sounds like a plan. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She disconnected the phone and stood for a moment, remembering the sound of his voice.
“Alright already, snap out of it so we can get out of here,” Melinda groaned.
“Oh, yeah, that’s a good idea.”
Pulling another plastic tablecloth from the table, she stuffed it into the large trash bag she’d been dragging across the floor behind her. Going to the next table, she started the process again, first removing the floating candle centerpiece, then pulling the tablecloth filled with confetti and dirty plates, cups and whatever else the guests had left on them into the bag. The Ortegas hadn’t paid the hall for the complete clean-up service, or else she and Melinda would’ve been gone by now.
She was so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she never heard the man approach her from behind until his hand was on her shoulder. She jumped and turned to stare into dark eyes.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised to see Leon.
He shrugged. “If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed…” His voice was as deep and smooth as she’d remembered.
“I apologize for not returning your calls. I guess I’ve been kind of busy.” She really didn’t know what to say to him. That was part of the reason she hadn’t bothered to call him upon her return. Come to think of it, she hadn’t really thought about Leon all that much since she’d told him there was nothing between them.
“Yeah, I figured that.”
“How did you know where I was?” she asked while moving on to the next table.
He followed her, taking the trash bag from her hands and holding it open when she needed it. “I stopped by the office yesterday but you were out running errands. Melinda told me about the wedding today.”
“Oh? She didn’t mention it to me.”
“I told her not to.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to surprise you.” He chanced a smile at her. “I see I did.”
“Yeah, you did.” And the moment she had a chance she was going to tell Melinda how she didn’t like secrets or surprises where Leon was concerned.
“You look tired. Are you almost finished here?”
They were approaching the head table, the last one she needed to break down before she could load up the truck and take all the stuff back to her office.
“Just about.”
“Can Melinda finish up so I can take you home? You really look like you could use some rest.”
“Well, you sure are full of compliments after not seeing me for a while.” She grinned. “Do I look that bad?” She stared down at her suit. It was wrinkled, and she’d spilled something down the front of her jacket at some point during the festivities. She’d discarded her shoes the moment the last guest exited the hall, and she noted a horrific run in her stockings.
“No, you’re still beautiful.” His words were quiet and stunned Leah into silence.
Had he ever said that to her before? She didn’t remember; she only remembered hearing Terrell say it. “Liar.” She smiled wistfully.
He reached for her hand. “Come on, let me take you home.”
Leah slowly pulled her hand out of his. “I have my car,” she told him.
“Then I’ll follow you back to your apartment.”
Leon was persistent, she knew this already. And she was tired. The last thing she felt like dealing with was him. Besides, Terrell was coming over. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
