Page 43 of Passing Notes
He jumped about a foot in the air, and I laughed. “What the hell? Is that you, Clara?”
“Yup.” I sauntered toward him, feeling better about myself now that I wasn’t the only so-called adult under here. Somehow, it made me feel less pathetic. “This was like a second home to me back in high school. I was a bit of a wild child. I thought I’d come down here and reminisce for a few minutes.” I poked the edge of his knit hat with a grin. “Nice beanie.”
He smiled back. “I know all about you. Your reputation outlived your time here. I was a freshman when you were a senior.”
“Aww, then as someone older and wiser, let me give you two pieces of advice. One, don’t piss Mari off. She has a bit of a temper.”
“What . . . ?”
“Tut-tut, listen.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re older, but the wiser thing is questionable. I’m not the only one in the neighborhood who’s noticed how you’ve been dodging Nick lately.” He squinted a mock-accusing glare at me. “His ex is sitting right above us with the kids, isn’t she? No one will call you an eavesdropping stalker if you’re seen talking to your pathetic neighbor down here, right?”
“Touché, my young padawan. Both of our life choices are definitely up for debate.”
“Let’s hear it. What’s number two?”
Damn if I wasn’t about to take this sexy nerd-boy under my wing. Would I ever be able to walk away from an underdog? “Start working the nerdy rockstar thing, Leonard. It’s hot. I saw you in that caftan the other day, with the pecs and the thighs. Look at you with the glasses and the raggedy old Rush tee and those the sexy arms. You’re a tall drink of water, Leonard. Own that shit.”
He turned bright red. Nerd, indeed. “I don’t know about that,” he mumbled. “Also, I prefer to be called Leo.”
“Too bad. I already have a friend named Leo and I don’t need that kind of confusion in my life, Leonard.”
“Okay…”
“Glad we got that settled. You like my cousin Mari, don’t you?”
He blushed even harder. His expression was agonized. It was obvious he had it bad for her.
“I’ll take your red-faced lack of an answer as a yes. You should ask her out.” Mari may have sworn off men, but this one was carrying a huge-ass torch for her. He was sweet, and his mom was amazing. I could see good things happening between them, and since I was never one to not meddle...
His eyes darted nervously back and forth as he twisted his toe in the dirt like something out of a movie. Could he be any cuter? “Uhh...”
“I’ll accept payment for my sage advice in the form of a clipping from your neon pothos. I covet it, Leonard. You’re lucky I haven’t snuck over and plantnapped it.”
He chuckled and held out his hand. I shook it with a grin. “I accept your terms. And maybe we could trade sometime? I’d love to have an ultra-pink princess philodendron like the one hanging on your porch. No nursery seems to carry them around here.”
I nodded as I considered whether or not to let go of my one-sided yard rivalry with him. Could two people exist on a block with equally nice yards?
“Nope, no one does. I got it from some online nursery in Maine. It was half-dead when it arrived at my house. It was touch and go for a few weeks.” I bit the bullet; maybe we could end up being friends. “Come over next time you see me outside. We’ll have coffee and talk plants.”
“Will do, I’d love that. Do me a favor and tell your cousin to keep the band out of my yard. I don’t think she gets how?—”
“I got you. I’ll talk to her. We’re plant people, Leonard. It’s a state of mind. Like cat ladies without the cats, am I right?” I held out a fist. He bumped it, lips turning up in a sardonic grin.
“No one else gets it,” he confirmed.
“We have to stick together.” I looked around. “Okay, it’s becoming too much for me down here. Nostalgia can be a real kick in the ass. I have to get out of here. Later.”
“Hey, wait a second.”
I stopped and turned. “Yeah?”
“Nick waits for you to come outside every morning before he leaves for work.” He smirked. “Maybe I should tell him to get his ass out to his truck a little bit earlier.”
“Are you sure you really want to get into my business?” I shook my head, and twisted my lips to the side. “Maybe I’ll go find Mari and tell her you’re hiding out under here like a creepy little spy kid.”
His eyes bulged. “No. Do not do that.”
