“Come on, let’s get you your breakfast.” Guiding me through the breakfast room, he doesn’t stop us until we reach the large patio doors that he walks us through, and my steps falter as I see the intricate white iron bistro table tucked underneath a large willow tree. Edging closer, I bring my hands to my mouth as I see what is on the table.
“Leo,” I whisper, gazing up at him, and he kisses my forehead. “When?”
“I told you. I can’t tell you all my secrets.”
The table and the grass around it is covered in tulip petals of all colors with a huge bouquet of blue tulips in a stunning glass vase in the center. He pulls out my chair, and I sink into it, taking in all the tiny details. There is a bone china teapot next to the vase with a tiny pot of sugar alongside it. A silver teaspoon sticks out of the top, glistening in the early morning sun. The teacups are white with a tiny delicate navy pattern decorating the edges, and a copy ofTheNew York Timesrests next to it.
“Leo, this is perfect.” He gazes across the table at me, and I reach out for his hand that he quickly grasps, squeezing tightly.
“I know this is how you like to spend your Sunday mornings.” He’s right, but I didn’t think it would have been something he’d noticed. I used to do the crossword puzzle with my dad and Grandad Stone until he passed, and it is something that keeps me close to him. “You always look so peaceful doing this, and I feel I’ve brought more mayhem than peace to you lately.”
“Thank you.” Brushing my thumb across his knuckles, I give him a grateful smile.
“You’re welcome.”
“But you’re wrong, you know?”
Releasing my hand, he begins to pour our cups of tea, and his lips tilt up in a teasing smile. “Oh? I thought I was right a lot of the time these days.”
“Not this time.” His eyes lock on mine. “I think I’m the one bringing the mayhem and you’re the peace.”
Chapter 35
Leo
Leo - I may have deviated from the plan.
Kai - Again?
Kai - Do you want to live happily ever after with your wife?
Kai - Details now! And don’t leave anything out.
Kai - Don’t go rogue on me.
Kai - Answer me!
Kai - If you don’t reply I’m coming down there
Leo - Don’t you dare
Kai - He lives!
Leo - I may have deviated but trust me it’s for the best
Kai - The best? I’ll be the judge of that. I’ll be in your office in the morning
Ria sips on her tea, as she scribbles down answers to the crossword in her newspaper with a content smile on her lips. “You’re staring.”
“How can you tell?” Leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table, I continue to stare at her and how she seems to be fucking glowing in the early morning sun.
“A woman can always tell when a man’s eyes are on her.” Smiling down at her newspaper, she makes another mark with her pen, the sunlight bouncing off the ring on her wedding finger, and I spin mine.
“It’s hard not to look at you. I told you that earlier.”
“Yes, but I was wearing next to nothing and now I’m in leggings and a baggy sweater.” She raises her gaze to mine and lifts her brow. “My hair is messy and I have zero makeup. I’m in no way irresistible to look at.”
“You are to me.”
