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I smiled. “I said you look nice. I like your top.”
“You look nice, too. I like your eyes,” Leo whispered as he tangled his fingers together.
My heart thumped against my chest as I wondered if he realized what he said.
I wanted to talk to him alone. Withoutthis Ezra guy.
“You want to get something to eat? My dads were saying the food is supposed to be really good. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
“Uh...” Leo glanced at Ezra for a second as he chewed on his bottom lip. He looked back up at me. “Yeah, that sounds nice.”
I started toward the buffet table, and when Leo followed, I puffed up my chest. I slowed down so he was next to me, and like it had a mind of its own, my hand moved to his lower back. Like it was meant to be there. I could feel the warmth of Leo’s skin beneath my palm, the softness of his sweater. I wanted him to be mine.
I leaned down so my lips were closer to Leo, so he could hear me. “What do you want?”
“Wh-what?” He had the longest lashes I had ever seen on a boy. The tips brushed his skin as he blinked nervously, that flush appearing on his skin again.
I chuckled. “Food. What do you like?”
“Everything.” Leo grinned and his entire face lit up. “Noel tells me I eat him out of house and home.” He blushed again. “I, uh, live with him. He’s my brother. Noel, I mean.”
I watched as he loaded up his plate and then I started doing the same. “I live with my two dads.”
“I know.”
Leo smiled at me, and I had a sudden thought about what it would be like if we were together. Boyfriends. We could hold hands, go on dates, kiss, and well, other things. I had never been on a single date in my life. Dad didn’t want me to worry about girls or boys now at fifteen. He said I had all the time in the world to date. I had to concentrate on school, hockey, playing the drums. Ironic, considering I knew how much of a player Maverick Frost was before he married Pop. Not that Pop was innocent, either. They acted like I didn’t know, but I did. The internet was a marvelous place when you looked hard enough. And also eerily disturbing.
Once we had covered our plates, I led him over to an unoccupied couch, scooting as close to him as possible.
“Where are your parents?” I regretted the question the moment it slipped from my lips. Leo’s entire expression changed, hurt flashing in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked that. It’s none of my business.”
“It’s fine.” Leo pushed a piece of pasta around his plate. “They left.”
I placed my plate down next to me, then did the same with his and took his hands in mine. “I shouldn’t have asked you that. You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. You know, my mother dropped me at the police station one night when she was high and decided she didn’t want me anymore.”
“That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.” Leo squeezed my fingers. “Parents suck. I mean, your dads seem cool, though.”
I nodded. “They are the coolest. Here.” I slid my phone out of my pocket, keeping his hand in mine. “This is Dad when he thinks I’m not looking.” I queued up a video I had taken of himin the kitchen last weekend. Smiling and singing along to Taylor Swift while he made breakfast.
“I can’t believe Maverick Olson is your father. I don’t really follow hockey, but I’m sure Jackson is a big deal, too,” Leo murmured, and I wondered just what had happened with his parents. “Noel’s great, don’t get me wrong, but he doesn’t know how to handle me.”
I noticed both of my dads were now standing with Ezra, watching us. Dad had his green eyes pinned on me while Pop was smiling at something Ezra was saying.
“Dad isn’t too keen on this idea, but can I take you out sometime?” I stumbled slightly as I tried to get the words out.
I suddenly felt warm and wished I hadn’t chosen this cheesy Christmas sweater tonight after my dad suggested it. What if Leo found it ridiculous? He was obvious that he cared about fashion with the way he was dressed.
Leo looked up at me with sunshine in his baby blue eyes. “Like on a date?”
“Exactly like a date.”
“Yes, I think that I would like that.”
Happiness seeped into my brain. “We can exchange numbers, too. So we can plan the date.”
“That sounds great.” Leo beamed at me.
***
