Only You (A Sweet Torment Novel) (17 page)

“Leo.” His name came out with a gasp.

“Sorry to interrupt your Friday night,” he said. He held up a bag of Chinese takeout. “I was just seeing if you were hungry.”

“You’re supposed to be out on a date.”

“Didn’t work out.”

“Did I do something wrong? The arrangements—”

“—were perfect. Just didn’t work out,” he repeated.

I wished he’d go into detail but obviously he wouldn’t. I was just about to ask him if the date tonight didn’t work out because his lunch with Vanessa had, but Hazel came up behind me.

“Hi,” Hazel said, peeking over my shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.”

“Hazel, you remember Leo.”

“Pleasure to see you again,” Leo said with his handsome smile.

Hazel smiled wide and flushed. Leo’s charm was lethal, I could attest to that.

“I just came to drop off some food for you ladies and say good night.”

“How thoughtful!” Hazel said and took the food. She went into the kitchen and I heard plates clatter.

“I’d invite you in . . .”

“But that’s not a good idea,” he finished. I wanted to protest, but he was right.

“Thank you for the food.” It was an odd gesture but thoughtful all the same. He nodded.

“Good night, Paige.”

“Night, Leo.”

I slowly shut the door and Hazel called me into the kitchen. When I got there, she stood, staring at the few open containers.

“This guy is either a mind reader or has a crystal ball.”

“What?”

I looked and realized what Hazel saw. The order was all my favorite dishes. Right down to the prawns. “How did he know?”

I shook my head, hustled to the door, and ran out. Leo was in the middle of the rolling grass that separated our homes and I ran faster to catch up to him.

“Hey,” I said, reaching him. “How did you know the place I eat at and what I like?”

He grinned. “You’ve been consumed with getting to know me. Aside from your terrible coffee, you have everything down. I wanted to know you a little.”

The gesture was so simple. And yet, made a big warm fuzzy feeling rise in my gut. For years I ran errands, luncheons, ordered food, and knew what various people ate, drank, and liked. The prices of certain stocks, the names of campaign managers from twelve different districts—and their wives’ names. Hell, I knew their mistresses’ names. Hazel and Amy were my friends and knew me, but never once had anyone ever taken a minute to go out of their way to
learn
anything about me.

“This could be considered weird,” I told him.

“I think we’re past weird, Red. I just felt the need to . . .” He trailed off, like he didn’t want to or couldn’t say whatever it was he was about to. Instead he tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

“You better get back to your friend. I’ll see you Monday.”

I reached out for him but he turned his back before I could touch his chest and kiss him.

Instead, I watched his back as he walked away from me, realizing right then how fucking awful that felt.

Chapter Sixteen

T
hank you for showing up early with the food,” Regan said.

Standing in Regan’s massive kitchen, I started taking the food from the boxes Rudolpho had delivered and putting it on trays.

“I’m happy to help.” I turned to face her and frowned for a moment. She was in capris and a sweater. I couldn’t help but wonder when she was going to change. A Savas event would surely be a little formal right? After going through my closet, I went for a simple, but sleek navy blue dress and black heels. Professional, yet a little character for cocktails.

“That looks . . .” Regan peeked over my shoulder at the hors d’oeuvres. “Wow.”

I looked at the goat cheese mini quiches and felt a flare of alarm. “There’s more,” I said quickly. “Vegan-friendly and gluten-free options.” And not a Rice Krispies treat in sight.

She nodded and smiled but something was off. Had I messed up? Surely she had heard of Rudolpho before, right?

“Leo said you were going to do pizza,” Regan said.

“Well, um, yeah, he mentioned that as an option, but I thought this would be a little nicer?”

Judging by the look on Regan’s face, I thought wrong. Very, very wrong.

“Listen, Paige, I think it’s great what you’re trying to do but . . .” she looked at the small boxes on her counter, “I think you’re a little off base here.”

“Oh, okay, well I can fix this—”

“I don’t mean with just the food.” Regan’s voice was soft and a look of pity was in her eyes. Pity for me. And it ate me up. “I can tell you like my brother. Lots of women do, but I think keeping a bit of distance is best for both of you. He’s been through a lot, and you seem like a very nice woman, but . . .”

“But?” I asked, needing to know, though I was pretty sure I already knew what she was going to say.

“I don’t think you two have long-term viability.”

My brows shot up. That had to be the most polite “piss off” I’d ever heard.

“I see.” I looked at the half-full tray of mini quiches and felt like the biggest reject in the world. Apparently my grand plan of impressing Leo’s family, especially Regan, was a bust. I should have gone with pizza. I had thought this party to be semi-formal, but it was looking like it was anything but.

A low beep came from outside that sounded like a truck backing up. Regan clapped her hands. “Looks like the entertainment is here. I’ll be right back.” She stopped before leaving the kitchen and faced me briefly. “I hope you don’t take what I say as an insult to you.”

I nodded and gave my best smile. Shit of it was, I saw in her face that Regan was being sincere. She truly wanted Leo to be happy and was trying to help. She wasn’t being mean, just honest, and I couldn’t really hold that against her. I had had some doubts about Amy and Roman when they first got together. Difference was, Leo and I weren’t getting together. I didn’t know what we were other than a mess.

I just needed to fix this food situation and leave. Maybe someone would still eat the gourmet finger foods so I hustled to get them on the trays, then I’d call for pizza and get my ass out of there before anyone else showed up.

When the sound of footfalls came my way, I knew my luck was out. I looked up to see Leo in the kitchen doorway, holding a six-pack of beer and wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

“Wow, Red. If I had known your business wear transferred to your play attire, I would have adjusted my fantasies accordingly.”

He took a lazy sweep of my body, leaving tingles, and put the beer in the fridge. But all I felt was even stupider. From the food to the way I was dressed—it was all wrong. Which chalked me up to a tee. Wrong. For this place, and for Leo.

Focusing on getting all the food out, I ignored him the best I could, but he came up behind me.

“This looks pretty fancy,” he said, breath hitting my neck and making me want to lean into him. But my whole body was shaking with anxiety to get out of there. Away from a place I clearly didn’t belong.

I glanced at him over my shoulder, trying not to let his presence affect me too much, or the fact that our lips were inches apart derail me from unpacking the food and leaving.

“Since I am on the clock, my outfit is appropriate, and you said this was a family event. Rudolpho’s is the best in town.”

Again, I was cursing myself for not getting more information. Like this was a casual event. Which was weird since the Savas family was wealthy and powerful. And fifty people? That had to include other rich and powerful people right?

Just then Lyssa came running in wearing a sparkly dress and fairy wings. “Yay! Paige, you came!”

She wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tightly. Her little head jammed into my lower stomach and about knocked the wind out of me.

“Hi,” I said, holding one mini quiche in hand. Taken off guard, I didn’t know what else to do other than pat her head with my free hand. She disengaged and stepped back, looking up at me.

“I’m so glad you came to my party.”

“
Your
party?” I asked and she nodded. “It’s my birthday! I’m six now.” She held up the exact number of fingers to emphasize her point. I looked at Leo.

“A kid’s birthday party?” I gasped, instantly horrified. All of it clicked. This wasn’t an event for the rich and powerful—it was a party where the guests included kids under the age of ten. “Oh no . . .” I said, as panic skyrocketed. I was surrounded by food that—

“Eeewww,” Lyssa said, reading my mind and sticking a finger through one of the quiches. “I thought we were having pizza.”

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to Leo, embarrassment flooding, as I realized why Regan looked at me like a crazy person. As if on cue, I caught sight of the entertainment. With a clear view of the backyard through the kitchen window, I saw a massive bouncy castle being inflated.

I slapped the hors d’oeuvre I’d been holding down on the tray, hard enough for it to splat, and tried to will away the sting behind my eyes and the mortification.

“Hey, Lyss, why don’t you go see if any of your friends are here yet?” Leo said, and the girl ran from the room, singing and jumping.

I internally cursed myself, realizing once again what an idiot I was and why I don’t belong in situations like this.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong, angel?” Leo whispered, gently rubbing my shoulders.

“There are kids coming. I ruined everything. I . . . I . . . don’t belong here. This is all messed up.”

“Hey, you didn’t ruin a thing. How many kids can say they had a five-star chef cater their party?” Leo’s voice was soft and he continued to run his palms over my shoulders.

“This isn’t working, Leo.” I looked up at him and he frowned.

“I’ll order a few pizzas and everything will be fine,” he said.

“It’s not fine . . .” I whispered and hung my head. Leo tipped my chin up with his finger, forcing my gaze to meet his. “I don’t belong here.”

“Why would you say that?”

I scoffed. “Look at me.”

He nodded, raking his eyes over my body. “I’m looking and I’m liking what I see, Red.” Between his charming smile and wink, I almost melted right there. But too many facts remained. I wasn’t a list girl. Wasn’t Vanessa. I wasn’t a woman Regan approved of. I wasn’t even in the same realm as the great Leo Savas. Not to mention, kids made me nervous. I was everything Leo wasn’t looking for. And I wasn’t the only one who knew it.

“I’ll clean this up and get going,” I said and reached for a box.

“Hey, will you stop?”

“What?” I snapped.

“Paige, you’re invited. You don’t have to leave. I should have been more clear on the food.”

I didn’t know if it was the past few weeks, or few months that were creeping up on me but suddenly, everything felt overwhelming. I couldn’t take one more instance where I came up lacking and felt so out of place in Leo’s world. Because every time, it crushed a part of me.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea that I stay.”

“I disagree,” Leo said sternly. “Do I need to pull out the job description again?”

I gave a humorless laugh. “There’s no reason for me to stay. I feel uncomfortable. I don’t fit in here, Leo.”

“You want a reason?” he asked, and waited for me to look into his eyes before saying, “Stay because I want you to.”

My eyes fluttered shut for a moment, letting the words sink in, desperately wanting them to be enough. To be true. He wanted me to stay. But there was a lot that didn’t make sense between us. A lot that bothered me, a lot of questions.

“How did lunch with Vanessa go?” I asked. I knew it was out of nowhere, but it had been eating me up. The wondering. I had no right or claim to Leo, but the thought of him and another woman sat really bad with me.

“It was fine.”

I nodded. “So fine you didn’t need to go on a date the following night with someone else?”

He grinned. “Is that what this is about?”

“There’s nothing
about
anything
,
I was just wondering.”

“Uh-huh. Well, do you really want to know the truth?” His voice was raspy and I found myself crossing my arms, preparing for the worst.

“Y-yes.” I cleared my throat because that stupid tremor made me sound weak. I hung on the edge of what Leo was about to say, prepared to hear that he really liked Vanessa. Maybe that they were dating, or maybe he—

“I’m interested,” he said, and my heart sank. But when he cupped my hip, pulling me a little closer, he whispered against my lips, “in you.”

My eyes went wide. The sound of those words made my chest fill with the same hope that was getting me in trouble. Just before I could rise to my toes and kiss him, several kids came whooshing through the door.

“Uncle Leo! The bouncy castle is ready. You have to come see,” Lyssa said. She tugged his hand and Leo winked at me.

“Can’t miss the bouncy castle.”

I smiled. “Of course not. Have fun.”

“Will you be here when I get back?” he said.

I looked around the kitchen and at the five-star food no one was interested in. But when my gaze landed back on Leo’s, I nodded. “I have pizzas to order, don’t I?”

“Yay!” Lyssa said and the other kids jumped. They ran out, pulling Leo behind them, to the castle. Pulling out my cell phone, I dialed and waited on hold for pizza. Staring out the kitchen window, I watched a six-foot-three Greek god of a man hop into an inflatable pink castle with a horde of six-year-olds and start jumping.

Between the smiles and laughter and the genuine look of happiness in Leo’s eyes, something shifted in my chest. Like witnessing reality was too much to bear. He was meant for this kind of thing. Meant for a family. Meant to be loved by so many.

Because he was easily lovable.

That much was obvious.

I glanced around the kitchen, surrounded by boxes of my mistake, in a dress that suddenly felt stiff, and the realization that all the fun was far away from me. Yet somehow Leo made me feel okay. Like I could stay. Like I just may belong a little. As long as he thought I was okay, maybe I really was.

I hung up with the pizza guy as Lyssa came running into the kitchen.

“Paige,” she whispered loudly, barreling straight for me with wide eyes filled with some kind of nervousness.

“Is something wrong?”

She took a few breaths, obviously tired from sprinting, and looked over her shoulder. “Ricky is here. He came.”

I frowned. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Don’t you like him?”

“Shhh,” she hissed at me and looked over her shoulder again. Apparently a six-year-old’s love was a big deal. “I didn’t know my mom invited him.”

“So you like him, but you want to stay away from him?”

Lyssa nodded spastically and right then, I understood what the kid was going through. Still, I had to ask, “Why?”

She looked at her feet and fidgeted with her sparkly dress. “I don’t know what to say. He’s very cool, you know.”

“I see. So, the cool guy you like is here and you’re having a hard time talking to him?” She nodded. “Sounds like a pretty big problem.”

She nodded again. The look on her face kind of killed. The poor kid was stressing out and in that moment I could relate. I looked around the kitchen, spotted a pad of paper and a cup of pens on the counter near the phone.

“What if you had something super cool to show him?”

Lyssa’s head snapped up. “Like what? He’s a boy and I have girl toys.”

“I’m not talking about toys.” Well, sort of not. “I’m talking about magic.”

Her eyes shot wide and I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. “You know magic?” she asked.

I scoffed and began folding the paper. “God no. But this thing?” I made one more fold, a few flaps, marked a few words and . . . “This thing is like gold.” I held it up and Lyssa’s eyes went even wider.

“What is it?”

“It’s an origami fortune-teller.” I put my fingers in it, showing her how it opened and closed. “Here, I’ll show you how it works. Pick a color.”

“Pink!”

Of course. Should have known judging by the sparkling marshmallow she was wearing, but the kid did look pretty cute.

“Okay.
P. I. N. K
.” As I said each letter, I opened and closed the paper. “Now, you have to choose one of the numbers written on the flap right here.” I showed her where I had written different numbers inside the origami.