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I shake my head at him as I pull my napkin from my lap and set it down on the table. "This was never a date, Griffin. Your first mistake was assuming that. I was never interested in you as more than a friend." I pause. "Your second mistake was forgetting I don't eat meat and then ordering meat for me to share with you." I rise to my feet and stare down at him where he is sitting. "Your third and final mistake was saying anything about Leo. You don't get to speak about him. Hell, you don't even get to think about him."
A slow, sinister smirk pulls on Griffin's lips. "Holy shit. You're in love with him."
Something flutters in my stomach, but I ignore it.
"I'm not and even if I were, it wouldn't be any of your business." I shake my head at him in disappointment. I really thought Griffin was a better person than this version he showed me tonight. "Please don't call me if you're in town again."
"Aria, wait," he says as he climbs to his feet. "I'm sorry. Just sit back down and we can still have a nice dinner."
"I'm good, thanks," I tell him as I take a step away. Without waiting for a response from him, I spin on my heel and stride out of the restaurant. I don't take a full breath until I'm out on the sidewalk, far enough away from him that I know he won't be catching up with me. I should have listened to Leo when he told me Griffin wasn't a good guy. I never wanted to be anything more than friends with him, but after hearing the things he said tonight, a friendship isn't even an option.
He should have never said anything about Leo.
No one gets to speak badly about that man and think I'll ever be okay with it.
Just because we don’t always see eye to eye or get along, doesn't mean I won't protect him. He could tell me he never wanted to skate with me or see me again and it would still stand. Leo may have a cold exterior but deep inside, that man has a heart of gold.
And I trust him more than I trust anyone else.
As I walk out to my car, I pull my phone from my purse and unlock the screen before opening my messages. Tapping on the screen, I start a new one and type in his name. I wait until I'm sitting in my vehicle with the doors locked before I finally type something out to him. I know I shouldn't be doing it. I don't know if he will even respond.
Aria
Hey. So, I know this is completely out of nowhere and I don't know if you're busy or not. Tonight has been a really weird night. I didn't know if you would want to go out or anything.
I don't bother diving into the details about my short evening with Griffin. I already feel stupid enough for the message I just sent. I cringe to myself as I read over the words three times before locking my phone screen. There's no way to take them back now. There's a sixty-second window where you can unsend a message after you hit send, but that time has passed.
My lungs deflate in defeat and my stomach turns at the realization that I'm going to have to face Leo tomorrow at practice. He's going to read that stupid message and I'm going to look like a vulnerable idiot who has her head in the clouds about a guy who doesn't even like her. Pressing my foot on the brake pedal, I push the ignition button on the dash and the engine of my car starts just as my phone vibrates in my lap.
My stomach drops. My heart kicks into overdrive, pounding erratically against my rib cage as I lift my phone up and see Leo's name on the screen. A ragged breath slips from my lips. I will my heart to slow down in my chest before it ends up exploding. I didn't expect him to respond and now that he did, there's an unwanted anxiousness quickly filling me. Closing my eyes, I count to four as I inhale, hold my breath and do the same as I exhale. I repeat it five times, feeling no different throughout my body as I look at my phone again.
Taking my chances, I unlock the screen and Leo's response is right there on the screen.
Leo
I'm home. Come here.
My heart crawls into my throat. It wasn't what I was expecting from him. I lock my phone and drop it onto my lap before pulling my car out onto the street.
Leo Wells always keeps me guessing. He keeps me on my toes.
And I am hooked.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
LEO
Lights illuminate the front of my house and it casts their beams through the windows, dancing across the floor. My breath catches in my throat and I pull two wine glasses from my cabinet before setting them down on the island. The light disappears and I hear the sound of her car door shutting a few moments later. The sound of my heart pounding drowns it out, filling the silence that surrounds me. There's a soft knock on my front door and I slowly turn on my heel, willing my heart to get itself under control as I walk to let her in.
My heart stops and my footsteps momentarily falter when I see her through the glass panes in the door. The front porch light shines down upon her and I drink her in as I take my time walking to her. Her midnight-colored hair falls in soft waves that frame her heart-shaped face. A black dress hugs the curves of her body and the hem falls just above her knees.
She's absolutely breathtaking.
She's fucking perfection.
My feet carry me closer to the door and I'm about five feet away when Aria's eyes meet mine through the glass. She shifts her weight on her heels and wraps her arms around her body, most likely in an effort to shield her bare arms from the cool ocean breeze. Where the hell is her damn coat? Her lips lift upward into a soft smile when she sees I'm here to let her in. Reaching for the door handle, I push down on it.
I step out of the way and motion for her to come in. "Hey."
