Page 19

Chapter 19

First Date

Libby

M y life was currently making up for all the years of the mundane. For years, I’d been living on autopilot and could easily predict what each day would bring, even in the chaos that was being an elementary school teacher. But stepping foot back in New York City had set off a chain of events that I hadn’t seen coming.

Ethan and I had gone from besties to something more so quickly and seamlessly; it felt like we’d been together for years. It had only been a week since we’d decided to become more than friends, and now we were sleeping in the same bed and making decisions together… as a couple.

One of those decisions sat next to me at the conference table as my brother sat across from us. Every time Ryker looked at me or Leo, I wondered if he could tell we’d slept together twice and were going on a date after work.

I still couldn’t believe Leo had asked not just me out on a date, but Ethan as well. The prospect of the three of us together filled me with a yearning I’d never experienced before… as well as guilt.

There I was, in love with my best friend and entertaining the idea of bringing another man into the situation.

“Libby, you said you had some concerns about the fundraiser?” Ryker kind of looked like a golden retriever when he tilted his head in question, and I bit back the comment. He was my brother, but right then, we were in business mode.

Or at least he and Leo were.

I looked at the projected image of Leo’s yacht with a mockup of where tables would be positioned. “I don’t think it reflects the right message to have a lavish dinner on a yacht where a seat costs ten thousand dollars.”

I knew it would raise a ton of money, but the whole thing made me feel uneasy for some reason.

“That’s the whole point… to raise money. Selling candy bars or wrapping paper door to door isn’t going to cut it for a project of this caliber.” Leo turned slightly toward me, his thigh connecting with mine under the table. “Our goal is to maximize donations utilizing the least number of resources. This is the way we do that.”

I shoved against his knee in annoyance. “We should involve the kids and their families.”

Ryker cleared his throat, his head tilting even more. “How do you suggest we do that?”

“They should be there, and I don’t mean to be servers or whatever. Each school can select two or three of their most deserving students with their parents. We can provide them with transportation to and from the event as well as the funds for clothing.” Thinking of the excitement on those kids’ faces spurred me on. “I can find businesses willing to contribute. Maybe suit or dress rentals. I bet I can find a limousine service willing to donate their time as well.”

Both men were quiet, and I didn’t know if it was to consider my idea or figure out a way to shoot me down without crushing me.

Ryker finally spoke. “That’s a great idea, but a lot to take on. We’re already working with a tight timeline, and adding all these extra elements could complicate things.”

My heart sank. I should have known better than to suggest something so ambitious six weeks before the event. Just as I was about to agree with Ryker, Leo reached over and squeezed my thigh.

“Actually, I think it’s a great idea. If we do it on a smaller scale, maybe one per school this time around, it could work. Having members of the community there and the donors hearing their stories... that’s powerful stuff.”

I turned to look at him, surprised. His eyes met mine, and I saw a softness there that made my stomach do a little flip.

“Really?” I couldn’t keep the shock out of my voice.

Leo nodded, his thumb making a soothing circle against my leg. Too bad there was fabric in the way. “Absolutely.”

Ryker leaned back in his chair, considering. “How do we make this work logistically? There’s not a lot of time and more attendees adds more tables and food needed.”

“We divide and conquer.” Leo tapped his pen a few times on the table. “Libby, you’ll be in charge of contacting the schools and coordinating the student selection process. I’ll reach out to my business contacts about transportation and clothing donations. Ryker, you can speak to the event coordinator about the changes so they can adjust the seating and notify the chef. It might be good if they add a few choices for kids to the offerings.”

Ryker still looked a bit uncertain, but he seemed to be coming around to the idea. “All right. Let’s give it a shot.”

Leo stood up, gathering his things. “I’ve got some calls to make if we’re done here.”

He gave me a subtle wink as he headed for the door, and I felt my cheeks warm slightly. Our date later suddenly felt very real and very soon. It was ridiculous that I was a little nervous considering he’d been inside me twice now.

As Leo opened the conference room door, Ryker cleared his throat. “Actually, Libby, do you mind sticking around for a minute? I wanted to chat with you about something.”

“Uh… sure?”

Leo glanced between us, his expression unreadable. “I’ll catch up with you later, Libby. Ryker, always a pleasure.”

If my brother was unsuspecting before, Leo’s random bout of formality changed that. Ryker glanced behind him with a look of confusion as Leo stepped out and shut the door.

I looked at Ryker, my stomach flipping again. What did he want to talk about? And why did he look so concerned?

Ryker began, leaning forward in his chair. “I’m really proud of you for speaking up. That was a great idea.”

“Thanks, Ry. I was worried it might not be well received…” It was difficult switching from a career where I never felt heard to one where I was a person who had some sway in big decisions.

I could sense he was gearing up to say something else and I prayed it wasn’t about Leo. There hadn’t been any discussion about how to handle my brother if he didn’t like my dating situation.

“How’s the living situation going? Everything okay with you and Ethan?”

My heart rate picked up. Did he know something? Had Ethan said something to him? I mean, Ethan and Ryker were friends too; it wouldn’t be completely out of the ordinary for them to talk.

“It’s going well.” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Why do you ask?”

Ryker’s brow furrowed slightly. “You seem a bit... I don’t know, distracted lately? I wanted to make sure everything was all right at home.”

“Did Ethan tell you anything?”

Now Ryker looked genuinely confused. “Tell me what? Is there something I should know?”

Oh, God. I’d walked right into that, hadn’t I? I closed my eyes for a moment, gathering my courage. When I opened them, Ryker was looking at me with concern etched across his face.

I sighed. “Ethan and I... we’re kind of together now.”

Ryker’s eyebrows shot up. “Together? As in...?”

“As in together. Boyfriend and girlfriend.” I felt a mix of relief and anxiety at finally saying it out loud to someone, especially my overprotective big brother.

“Wow.” Ryker leaned back in his chair, rubbing at his jaw. “That’s... wow. When did this happen?”

“About a week ago. It’s still pretty new, and we’re still figuring things out.” I shrugged like it wasn’t that big of a deal. “I should have seen it coming, honestly.”

“You just got out of a relationship…” Ryker had never liked Justin in the first place.

I scrunched my nose. “It wasn’t a very good one, and that’s why we broke up… because I was going to live with Ethan. Maybe I just never saw that Ethan and I were headed down this path.”

“I bet you’ll be happy when Leo is out of there.” Ryker wasn’t an idiot, and I could tell from his tone of voice and expression that he suspected something.

I wasn’t sure how to react to that. Leo was already supposed to be gone, but after I’d gotten home on Saturday and seen the roses, I’d caved and told him he could stay as long as he needed. Despite that, he’d gone back to not being around much.

The best course of action when it came to my brother was avoiding discussing how I felt about Leo because even I wasn’t quite sure. “He said his tile should clear customs this week and then the following week they will be installed.”

“I’m really sorry about that. It didn’t even cross my mind that there might be delays. I hope he hasn’t made you uncomfortable… because if he has…”

“He hasn’t,” I said a little too quickly. Quickly enough that Ryker’s eyes narrowed. “He’s hardly there.”

“Hm.”

I rolled my eyes and stood. “Stop it.”

“Stop what?” He stood too and his stern look softened. “I’m just checking on my little sister.”

“You are so annoying.” I punched his shoulder on my way to the door. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

He rubbed his shoulder. “Apparently not with a punch like that.”

“Baby.”

I looked over my shoulder as I stepped into the hallway. “If either of them hurt me, you’ll be the first to know.”

His eyes widened, but before he could say anything, I scurried down the hall like a puppy who got caught tearing up a couch cushion.

My first date with Leo started surprisingly well. I hadn’t quite known what to expect from him, but when we pulled up outside of a diner that had the best chicken tenders in the city, I knew it was off to a good start.

I’d been surprised he hadn’t chosen one of the restaurants he was involved with but was grateful he’d taken me somewhere low-key. It wasn’t that I disliked trying new restaurants, I just was a creature of habit. Chicken tenders were that habit.

Leo had ditched his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was halfway through a giant hamburger. I never knew watching someone eat a hamburger could be such a turn-on.

As I dipped a tender into the ranch that was probably some of the best I’d ever had, I held back a moan. Whoever made it deserved not only their pillow always being cold but a lifetime of puppy snuggles.

Leo chuckled, watching me as I chewed.

“What?” I wiped at my mouth self-consciously. It wouldn’t have surprised me if I was sporting a ranch mustache. “Do I have something on my face?”

“No, you just look like you’re really enjoying that.”

“I am.” I took a sip of my soda. “You’re at a ten on the date scale right now.”

Leo paused, his hamburger halfway to his mouth. “Wait until you see what we’re doing next.”

“There’s more?” I hadn’t expected to do anything other than have dinner.

“Of course. Unless you’re too tired. It’s been a long week.”

“Tired? Please, I’m just getting started.” I popped the last bite of my chicken into my mouth.

“Oh, yeah? Ms. Party Central?”

I snorted. “I’ve never really been into parties, even in college.” There was something about so many people being out of control and under the influence that made me remember all the times I’d seen my mom like that. I would bet Leo probably had enough parties under his belt for the both of us. “When you aren’t working or partying, what do you do for fun?”

“Fun?” He repeated the word as if it were a foreign concept.” I haven’t really been part of the party scene for a while now, and I don’t have much time for hobbies these days.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? No secret passion for underwater basket weaving or fridgescaping?”

“Fridgescaping?” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I mostly work, but when I have the time, I like to travel or go to the house in the Hamptons.”

“Why work so much? I mean, you’re clearly successful. Why work so much when you could be out there living it up?”

Leo’s expression shifted, a vulnerability I’d never seen before flickering across his face. “It’s complicated.” He set down his hamburger and leaned back in the booth, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere over my shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just curious.” I hadn’t realized asking about his free time would upset him.

“My dad has always been a hard man to please. Growing up, nothing I did ever seemed to be enough. He built this empire and expects me and Luca to continue to grow it. I’ve always felt the weight of his expectations, but then, of course, I go and make it ten times worse by making bad decisions and have to prove myself all over again.”

“Bad decisions aren’t always so bad.” I reached across the table, placing my hand over his. “You’re pretty accomplished for being so young. Surely, your father must see that.”

He gave a wry smile. “Unfortunately, one lapse in judgment can change everything. But that’s enough about that… what do you do for fun besides reading and playing video games?”

“Those take up most of my free time. I love getting lost in a good book… even if some people don’t think it’s a good use of time.” I could still hear my ex telling me that I read too much, and it wasn’t a good way to spend my life.

“Maybe you can loan me one of your books.”

I popped a fry in my mouth, already running through a list of books I thought he would enjoy. “You sure about that? They’re spicy… sometimes with weird shit like men who can knot and purr to comfort their omega.”

He looked rather concerned. “Sounds… interesting.”

I threw my head back and laughed. Maybe he and Ethan could buddy-read some books together. Their reactions to some of the things I read would be pure entertainment gold.

After we finished eating, we left the diner and walked down the block instead of going to his car. He grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers as we walked.

We approached a quaint bookstore nestled between a coffee shop and a vintage clothing store. The warm glow from the windows beckoned us inside, and I felt a flutter of excitement in my chest.

“We’re going to a bookstore?” Either way, I was excited he’d brought me to a place I loved. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a bookstore and browse all the pretty books?

“Of course, unless you’d like to go somewhere else.”

We stopped inside the entrance, and he pulled me to him, kissing me gently. “Anything you can fit in a basket is yours.”

I stared at him, mouth agape. “Are you serious?”

He nodded, his smile widening. “Absolutely.”

“Books are expensive, and-”

He cut me off with another kiss. “Libby, I think I can handle a basket of books.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think you understand how quickly the total can get out of control.” I didn’t want to pick out a bunch of books and have his eyeballs pop out at the register.

He grabbed a basket and handed it to me. “Go, princess.”

With a giddy laugh, I took the basket and made a beeline for the romance section. This was like being a kid in a candy store, except so much better.

I started pulling books off the shelves, barely containing my excitement. The latest release from my favorite author? In the basket. That enemies-to-lovers story I’d been eyeing for weeks? Definitely in. The omegaverse romance everyone had been raving about? You bet that made the cut.

Leo was wandering nearby, picking up books and reading their back covers. The sight of him with a book in his hands, sleeves rolled up, and tie loosened, made me want to find a dark corner and thank him.

He looked up, put the book he was holding back on the shelf, and walked toward me. “What’s that look for?”

“Nothing. Was just writing a naughty bookstore fantasy in my head.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Here, let me carry the basket.”

“Thanks.” Our fingers brushed as he took the basket from me, and it sent tingles up my arm. With that brought mixed feelings about what we were even doing on a date. I knew at some point I needed to bring it up. “So… are you actually serious about dating Ethan too?”

He looked surprised at my question. “I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself asking you both out if I wasn’t.”

“But you two don’t get along.” It seemed they had both forgotten how they were at each other’s throats.

“He has a lot of reasons not to like me, but I don’t have any to not like him. I figure that’s a start, and it helps that you are open to trying this.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You’re an amazing woman.”

I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to voice my concerns. “I’m glad you’re open to this, but I’m not sure how it’s all going to work.”

Leo set the basket down at his feet and gave me his full attention. “What’s worrying you?”

“Ethan and I have gone from friends to more than so quickly, and it’s amazing, but it’s also a big change. I’m worried about how bringing someone else into the mix might affect that, especially with the dynamic between you two already.”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s understandable. It’s a lot of change all at once on top of moving and starting a new job.”

“Yeah.” I was relieved that he seemed to get it. “But I do feel better knowing that Ethan agreed to go on a date with you. It makes me think maybe this crazy idea could actually work.”

A small smile played on Leo’s lips. “I’m glad to hear that. I promise I’ll do my best to make it work.”

“Oh, you better. And let me tell you something, mister.” I poked him playfully in the chest. “You better have a damn good date planned for Ethan. He has high standards for who he lets into his heart. He doesn’t want some polished, perfect version of you either. He wants to see the real Leo.”

He looked more than a little nervous. “And what if the real Leo is a disaster?”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a disaster sometimes. Be yourself. If you remember that, Ethan will come around.”

And I really hoped he would.