I groan, biting my fist. “Do we have to go?”
The smirk on her lips and spark in her eye tell me everything I need to know. She doesn’t want to go, either.
Taking her hand, we head out the door.
We only drive to Leo’s place because of the wind. We’re there in only a few minutes, parking in the garage near the building.
The party is already somehow in full swing, a whole buffet of particularly tan turkeys lining his kitchen island, the pies stacked up behind it. There are a couple more tables set up with stuffing, what looks like crab mac and cheese, green bean casserole, and other sides.
Since production asked Leo if they could dedicate a portion of the show to his party and how important it is for him and the team, cameramen weave in and out of people, and yet no one seems to really mind.
Many times, most of the team isn’t able to go home for the holidays. Leo opens his door for everyone, from the groundscrew to the media team and their families. Children run around, the whole space filled with laughter and smiles.
One cameraman stands with Lindsey, interviewing Noah in the corner of the room. His eyes flicker across the room. I follow them and find the girls huddled together.
I wonder who he’s looking at.
Amara takes my hand, leading me over to them.
“Why is there an absolutely astronomical amount of Berger cookies?” Amara asks.
Heidi raises her hand. “We were, uh,busyand couldn’t make something. Stopped at the store on our way here.”
Amara picks one up off the platter. “Well, you’re a goddess.” It has to be about two hundred dollars of fudgy, buttery goodness.
My hand grips her waist as I look around, and when I spot Leo, I lean down, placing a kiss on her cheek before whispering, “I’ll be just across the room. Come get me if you need me.” She leans into my touch, the back of her head resting on my shoulder.
The girls watch me as I step back. I wink, waggling my fingers in their direction. Heidi’s mouth falls open. I can feel their eyes burning into my back as I go to meet the guys.
I can only imagine the questions they’re asking right now.
Leo looks me up and down. “You two look cozy.” His eyes narrow.
“The cameras are here,” I shrug. “Of course we do.”
“When is this whole thing over again?” Owen asks, taking a sip of his beer.
“In a few weeks. Why?”
“What’s happening after that?”
I smile. “I don’t know. We’ll see. It’s up to her.”
My heart is in her hands.
“So,” Leo starts, and I know I’m in trouble. “You’re telling me that there’s been progress.”
I realize what trap I stepped into too late. “If by progress you mean that I don’tthinkshe hates me quite as much, sure.”
He shakes his head. “No, that looks like a little more than not hating each other.”
I hold up my hands. “Am I not allowed to just enjoy things? It’s all on her terms. Everything. If she doesn’t want to keep me around, then she won’t.”
The boys look at each other.
“I think what these idiots are worried about,” Emmett finally cuts in. Always the most reasonable out of all of us. “Is that it sounds like this is wrapping up around playoffs, which was,” he pauses, attempting to think of the right word. “A choice, let’s say, made by production.”
“I mean, yeah, I agree with you.” It’s not ideal. “I’m actually not sure how any of this got approved at all,” I chuckle, remembering that day in Coach’s office.
