“Of course dear,” Sonya murmured, her voice sounding hollower than before. “There are Tupperware containers in that cupboard next to the oven.”
She nodded, swallowing thickly. Yes, Leo was watching her. So was Sonya. Both of them were likely wondering why she’d suddenly escaped the table.
It shouldn’t matter to her. These feelings of guilt were laughable. She’d made it clear that all she wanted with Leo was friendship… and some light kissing. They’d only been exploring whatever this was for the last week, for heaven’s sake.
She sighed, hurrying to put away the food before she practically ran from the kitchen.
Kat had managed to get her arms into her coat sleeves mere seconds before Leo materialized at her back.
“Where are you going?”
She froze, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Leo’s low voice was the only thing that could make her react like that. “For a walk?”
“Is that a question?”
Slowly, she turned to face him and then she plastered her brightest smile on her face. “Going for a walk,” she said firmly.
“I thought you were going to call your father.”
She flushed crimson. There was little doubt in her mind that she resembled a certain fruit. “Yeah, well…” She cleared her throatand tossed a longing look toward the door. “Where’s a better place to make a phone call than on a walk?”
“Do you know how cold it is?”
Kat smirked. “Do you?” She reached for the door and was drawn up short when he placed a palm against it.
“Too cold for a walk.”
She gestured to her coat and boots. “I think I’m covered. This girl grew up with New York winters.” Kat watched him closely, waiting for that moment when she could see past his defenses. But it never came.
All Leo did was sigh and reach for his own coat.
“What are you doing?” she demanded.
“I’m not letting you walk out there in the cold… in the dark.” He gave her a pointed look. “Who’s going to bring you back inside when you succumb to hypothermia? We already had one scare this year. I’m not up for another one, are you?”
She grimaced, remembering all too clearly that night.
While it hadn’t been her best moment, it had been the night when she’d gotten a peek beneath the curtain that was Leo’s barrier.
Having him come along actually sent a thrill through her—one she didn’t need him seeing. So she heaved an exaggerated groan. “Fine. If you want to come, come. But no complaining about the cold. And you have to keep up.” She peeked at him again, noting the smirk that filled his face before she reached for the door again.
By the time her feet landed on the ground, Leo’s fingers had slipped between hers and he’d pulled her hand into the pocket of his coat. There was something so innocent and so…
She didn’t know how to describe the feelings his actions stirred within her. It was like they’d jumped the line from fun to something more and Leo didn’t care in the slightest.
Natural. That was the word for this strange sensation.
It felt natural to walk side-by-side with this man while he held her hand and they made footprints in the snow.
“Sorry about my mom,” he murmured.
She snickered. “I like your mom.”
He tossed her a crooked grin. “You don’t know how relieved that makes me.”
Kat laughed again. “She’s sweet.”
“I don’t know if that’s how I’d describe it.”
