Jesse’s husband, Adam, is currently deployed for the third time since I’ve lived here, and it’s been hard on the two of them. Which is why we’ve always invited them up for meals, watched Carson when we were around and Jesse was in a bind, and it’s why the guys did things like playing cars with him.
It’s still weird that Pete gave him the model car, though. Maybe it was just time.
“That’s really cool, buddy. I’m glad you like it. I’ll make sure to tell him that.”
“Would you?! Maybe you can ask if he wants to come play cars with me sometime? Please, Miss Leo?”
I smile because I’m glad he still remembers that. “I’ll ask him, bud.”
“Hey, thanks!” Carson smiles huge, that dimple in his chin looking even more adorable than ever.
“We’re gonna head in for dinner. It was nice seeing you, Leo. You should drop by for a coffee sometime.”
“Maybe I will.”But probably not. “Good seeing you, Jesse. Bye, Carson.”
“Bye, Miss Leo!”
The two disappear around the side of the building to go in, and I lean my elbows into the railing just as a tear slides down my cheek. Then this moment gets even worse when my phone starts buzzing,COLLINSWORTHflashing on my screen.
What the fuck does he want?
“Hello,” I almost snap. I don’t have close to enough patience for him right now. Not even a little.
“Leonor?”
I roll my eyes. Like he doesn’t know who he just called. “What can I do for you, Mr. Collinsworth?”
“Lex, please.”
“Is there a point to this phone call? I don’t work again until Monday. Unless of course I don’t actually still have a job and you’re calling to formally let me go.”
He chuckles in what I’m assuming is supposed to be a pleasant way but it makes me think of our one and only run in, so it’s not. “I was actually calling for a personal inquiry.”
“I don’t do personal restoration projects.” Or any other personal projects for douche canoes who treat people like shit.
“I was actually hopingyou’dbecomemyproject.”
My spine instantly stiffens as my hackles raise. “Excuse me?”
“That came out wrong.” He clears his throat nervously, Collinsworth’s cool demeanor cracking slightly. “I wanted to ask you if you’d like to go to dinner with me sometime.”
What in the actual fuck?
I must have fallen into a worm hole and wound up in Wonderland. Or the Twilight Zone.
This makes zero fucking sense to me. None. The only time we’ve ever seen each other the dude thought I was a drug addict going through withdrawal, and I was so creeped out and angry that I lost my shit.
I don’t think that’s a good base foranykind of relationship.
“Uhm...” I pause as I pull out another cigarette and light it, searching for the words that will keep me employedandnot interacting with this asshat. “I’m not really sure that’s a good idea. I don’t think I’m your type.”
“And you assume you know my type?”
Yes.“Not skinny, spacey or prone to black outs. You don’t really seem to be a fan of tattoos.”
Collinsworth chuckles again and I’mreallystarting to wish I hadn’t answered the phone. “I know we didn’t exactly get off on the right foot but I’d?—"
“I’m seeing someone,” I blurt then smile despite how fucking weird this is. “It’s serious.”
