“Thank you. So are you. That doesn’t answer my question. I’m sure you can find hot guys closer to your own age. Whyme?”
“Not looking for a sugar daddy, if that’s your worry. I can show you my bank statements. Mimi left everything to me—house, benefits, life insurance, bank accounts. I’ve never met a guy who checked boxes for me the way you do. I’ve met guys I was attracted to, yeah.Hellooo, FSU campus. I mean,damn, Kevin Markos.Thatguy’s gorgeous. But maybe it’s because I was friends with so many of Mimi’s friends and was able to talk to them, get advice from them.”
I sip my wine. “I need more than a hot body. I want someone who reallygetsme. I’m not attracted to jocks and gym rats. Problem is, a lot of artistic guys my age, they aren’t realists when it comes to the world. They’re not…balanced. And they’re either broke-ass, or trust-fund babies. I’m not looking to be a sugar daddy, either. I want a guy with common sense and experience.”
Leo chuckles and goes back to chopping veggies. “Maybe you can buy us dinner next time.”
“I absolutely will, if that’s what you want.”
“You can cook for us Monday night. There’s nothing on my schedule. I’ll let you do the shopping.”
Fuck, yeah.If I can cook for him, I bet he’dbegme to fuck him. I’m a damned good cook. “Deal.”
“So, what are your plans for tomorrow night after work?” I get the feeling Leo’s fishing again.
Nonchalant, I sort of hope it triggers him a little. “I’m going to a club to see a band.”
I spot the hint of a frown flash through his expression before he schools it once more. “What club? Where is it?”
Normally, questions like that, asked in that…territorialtone, would irritate thefuckout of me.
From Leo it makes me shiver and eager to hear him ask more. He’s concerned about me, and that makes me want to push a little to see if he’ll set down a boundary for me.
I tell him about the band and the club, and Leo doesnotlook happy. He looks less so when I invite him to come with, and he says he can’t because of a work event tomorrow night.
Then I tell him I’m planning on walking to the club, and I think he’s going to come un-fucking-glued, because he starts trying to convince me to take a cab.
Hmm. Interesting.
Yes, maybe it’s petty of me to gig him like that, but if I’m not getting laid I can get my jollies some other way, right?
Meaning I’mdefinitelyplanning on walking now.
Okay, maybe I won’t walk, but I won’t tell him that.
Yes, I’m being a brat. Igetit. Except I’m really curious to see how far Leo will take his concern.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I walk all over the place at home, if I’m not taking the bus. I’d rather not spend the extra money on a cab. Besides, I like to explore.”
It’s as if Leo has to force himself not to say anything else on the matter, and something inside me happily purrs over the tense set to his jaw as he changes the subject.
Especially since he’s basically making me take a loaner set of gloves, a scarf, and a warm knit hat because he’s worried about me being cold, and I haven’t bought any for myself yet. He’s commented on that a few times over the past couple of weeks, that I really should get some because it’s only going to get colder as winter progresses, but I haven’t had the time.
We spend several hours talking. The bottom line is that Leo’s “partner”—who I’m already positive is Elliot Woodley—will always come first in Leo’s life, because Leo’s time with them is very limited.
However…
There is room for me to be in Leo’s life, too, according to him.
Even better? Leo is definitely interested in working on building a relationship with me and seeing where things might go. It would only be the three of us in that relationship, with the potential of me being involved with Leo’s partner—Elliot, I keep mentally substituting—as well.
I would not object to that, but I don’t tell Leo I think I have it figured out. Those little head nods they do with each other are like a silent code. I noticed it early on, and they only do it with each other. Plus, there are plenty of times I’ve seen Elliot defer to Leo in little ways other people don’t seem to notice.
Except I’m not an idiot. The best chance I have for a relationship with Leo is if I stay in DC after the inauguration and go to work for the administration.
I could even live with Leo. It’s not a decision I have to make tonight, either. That’s still two months away. We might hate each other by then.
When our evening comes to a close, Leo escorts me back to the hotel in a cab and walks me up to my room. I try telling him it isn’t necessary, but he gently steamrolls me and does it anyway.
