Page 43 of Lucky Mother Pucker

For a second, I just stand there and look at Wally warming up to Leo’s friends. How well they’re all getting along. How easy that was.

I walk into the kitchen, where Leo walked off a second ago.

“You were right. Your roommates are totally good with Wally.”

“You don’t have to worry.” His mouth curves up in a soft smile that makes my heart skid in my chest. How is this guy real? Kind, generous, and super handsome. And hot.

I quickly push away the thought. I shouldn’t be objectifying him like that. Especially after all that he’s done for me.

“Are you working at the diner again tonight?” he asks.

I almost say no, but I catch myself. I’m not working at the diner because I have a shift at the strip club instead. But I don’t want to tell Leo that.

Maybe he wouldn’t care…but I’m embarrassed that I have to work at a place I don’t like because I’m desperate for money. It’s kind of pathetic.

“Yeah, I’m doing a later shift there,” I say. “But I don’t wanna wear out my welcome at your place. I’ll take off.”

His eyebrows furrow, like he’s bothered by the thought. “You’re not. You can stay here until your shift starts.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Come hang out in the living room with us. Or you can go up to my bedroom if you want to be alone.”

“You really don’t mind?”

He shakes his head. “And if you wanna sleep here tonight again, you can.”

I start to say no, but he stops me. “We have the extra room.”

“Leo, I told you. One night is enough. I’m fine with sleeping in my car.”

He studies me for a moment. “Hey, Nick. You’ll be at Poppy’s tonight, right?”

“Yup,” Nick hollers from the living room.

“Can I sleep in your bed so Lucy can stay in my room tonight? She needs a place to crash.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

Leo lifts an eyebrow. “See?”

I hesitate for a second. As much as I’d love to stay another night, I can’t keep staying here. It feels wrong.

“Leo, I can’t keep taking advantage of your kindness like this.”

The look in his eyes focuses. “It’s not taking advantage if I’m offering it to you, Lucy.”

I’m quiet for a long moment. “Okay. Thank you.”

He nods and starts to walk off, but I catch his wrist. “You need to let me pay you back somehow.”

“No. I don’t.”

“Yeah, you do. Otherwise, this feels wrong. Imbalanced. You keep doing nice stuff for me, and I haven’t done a single thing for you.”

He looks down at my hand holding his wrist. Gently, he rests his massive palm over mine. My skin tingles at how hot his skin feels. I swallow.

“You’ve been through a lot of shit, Lucy. Maybe it’s time for some good things to happen to you.”