He studies my face. “Liar.”
I swallow. Because this is the thing about Leo. He calls me out on stuff.
“Why don’t we stop here for a while?” he suggests.
Then he steers me to a bench a few meters away. I sink onto it gratefully, even though I’d rather chew off my own arm than admit I need the break.
“Archie and I are just going to take a breather here for a few minutes,” he tells Elizabeth.
She wanders ahead to look at something, and it’s just Leo and me on the bench.
Leo’s hand settles on my waist. Just resting there. Warm. His thumb traces a small circle against my skin, almost absentmindedly, like he’s not even aware he’s doing it.
And my heart cracks open a little further.
I want this all the time.
The thought drifts into my head.
I like how Leo makes me feel about myself.
Because Leo doesn’t seem to think I’m too much. He seems able to take everything I have to give.
But he’s going to leave as soon as my ankle is healed.
There’s a heavy feeling in my stomach, and the warmth of his hand suddenly feels like something I’m borrowing rather than something I get to keep.
I tip my head back, stretching my neck, and when I open my eyes, I’m looking directly at a set of panels I’d forgotten were in this room.
The Story of Joseph.
“Do you know about these panels?” Leo follows my gaze.
“It’s the story of Joseph from the Bible. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers because they were jealous of the fact that he was their father’s favorite.” I nod toward the first panel. “They faked his death and told their father he’d been killed. Joseph ended up in Egypt, worked his way up from nothing, and became one of the most powerful men in the country. And then years later, his brothers turned up begging for food during a famine, and they didn’t even recognize him.”
My hand finds my cast. I adjust it unnecessarily. “The question at the heart of the story is whether Joseph forgives them. Whether the people who threw you away deserve a second chance.”
Leo is quiet for a moment. “Did he forgive them?”
“Yes. But it’s a biblical story. Forgiveness is sort of the whole brand.”
Leo chuckles, and the sound of that soft laughter loosens something I wasn’t planning on letting go of.
“I have a brother,” I find myself saying.
“I know you do,” Leo says softly.
“We’re not in contact though.”
“Why not?”
“Well, he didn’t quite fake my death and sell me into slavery.” I tip my head back again, staring at the ceiling this time.
I don’t talk about Vaughn to anyone. Not to Jaymee, not to Billy, not to any of the boyfriends who’ve come and gone without ever getting close enough to ask.
But Leo isn’t asking. He’s just sitting beside me, quiet, his hand around my waist. Waiting. Not pushing.
I want to tell Leo this.
