Chapter 10
ten
*SOREN*
An hour later, I park the jeep in front of my favorite restaurant close to West Sunhaven.
They allow dogs, so Barkley can come inside with us.
The walk has definitely tired him out in a good way.
For anything longer, though, we might need to train him up more and see how he does.
He grew into his adult form without the usual issues dogs of bigger breeds can have, so that’s a good sign, but still, we need to be careful.
Leo scratches Barkley’s back once he is out of his jeep. “I need to brush you properly tomorrow. I am trying to brush him regularly, but I am not sure if I am doing it right. How often do I need to groom or bath him?”
“I would brush him every couple of days and additionally when he needs it,” I say. “As for bathing, we can take him to a groomer every six to eight weeks. It really depends. But he will definitely need his undercoat brushed properly.”
Leo nods. “Is there a groomer here?”
“Yes, we have one.” I smile. “She is really good at what she is doing.”
“Awesome, see Barkley?” He scratches him behind his ears now. “You will be pampered!”
Barkley lets his tongue hang down, eyeing Leo with all the adoration he has.
“Let’s go, you two,” I say. “They usually have some food for dogs, as well. Not just water.”
"Oh, really!?"
“Yes, it’s a lovely restaurant.”
“I am hungry.” Leo stretches. “Hungry and exhausted,” he says. “But you were right, spending time outside with the right company was really magical.”
I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but he definitely is flirting, isn’t he?
“You know,” I say while leading him to the restaurant. “I bet you would be a lovely vegetable.”
“Huh?” he blinks.
I open the door, pausing in the doorframe. “If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cute-cumber.”
“Please stop,” Leo giggles. “I am sorry I ever asked for pickup lines!”
“Oh, I have barely started!”
“So, any way to shut you up?”
I tilt my head. “I could think of one way.” I wonder if this is already pushing it too far. I am not shy of flirting usually, but this is Aspen’s little brother and a sweet guy who obviously is battling with his trauma. I don’t want to push him too much.
Leo takes a step closer, right towards me. He is so close now. “Like this?” he asks.
I know an invitation when I see one, and I am certainly not going to reject his advances. Aspen will need to suck it up!
“I think there would be a more effective way.” I gaze up at the mistletoe over our heads.
Leo follows my gaze. “Obviously.”
I wrap my arm around his waist.
“Soren,” he says. My heart sinks at the tone of his voice. “I… I am not a cool guy.”
I feel a wave of relief hit me. He isn’t rejecting me! Then his words sink in. “I am not cool either.”
He blinks.
“Well, at heart, I am still the same science nerd, just with more silly jokes at hand.”
“I think that’s cool.”
“And I think you are cool.”
Leo smiles.
I move my hands up to his neck and bend down to meet his lips in a kiss.
It’s been a while since I kissed somebody.
I have almost forgotten how exciting it is to share a first kiss with someone you are just getting to know, yet see a future with.
There is something about learning the texture and tastes of a new partner’s lips.
We draw apart for a short moment, just looking at each other.
Leo tentatively licks over his bottom lip, making my insides twist in want.
Fuck, he looks hot. Putting my hands into the back pockets of his pants, I tug him closer.
Leo gasps, one hand clasping my shirt, the other placed on my shoulder.
His hand moves upwards, brushing past my neck and playing with my hair.
I capture his lips in a second kiss, this time much more urgent than the first. He seems to melt into it, softening his lips and parting them.
It’s all the invitation I need. Pushing my tongue past his lips, I can finally explore more of him.
God, what’s gotten into me? I swore not to fall head over heels for anyone again, not so fast! But Leo is just too precious. I’d rather ignore my own insecurities.
“Seriously, boys! Do you know no respect?”
Leo startles and breaks our kiss, his whole body tensing in his fight or flight reaction. I don’t let him go anywhere, though, putting my arm around him and holding him close. My glasses have steamed up, so it takes a while for me to notice it’s Ben and Maisie.
“You are blocking the path!” Ben complains. “Other people might be waiting for their turn.”
“We can just walk past them,” Maisie blinks.
“No, we can’t,” Ben emphasizes.
I gaze at him, then at the mistletoe, before I grin. “I see. I definitely need to respect my elders more and not hog the mistletoe for myself!”
I wink at Ben, who looks flustered, before stirring Leo and Barkley away. “That’s the middle-aged couple from my Star Trek fan club,” I whisper towards him.
Leo’s tension fades. “Oh.” He tosses a secret gaze at them, watching how Ben and Maisie are standing under the mistletoe now, and Ben is stumbling over his own words. “I see.”
“No one judges you here,” I say.
“I am sure some will.”
“That’s true. But those who matter won’t,” I say. “We are an LGBTQIA+ friendly town. And I came out years ago, so did Robin. We also have another friend who is genderfluid and loves to cross-dress.”
“Is that true?” Leo asks.
“It is.”
“Why does it sound too good to be true?” he mutters. “Back in the city, I thought I had anonymity to do what I wanted to. And suddenly I didn’t, and everyone knew.”
“Is this why you left?” I ask softly.
“No, it was just an additional reason.”
I can see his hands tensing up again.
“You don’t need to tell me anything,” I say. “We can go at your pace.”
“Does that mean…” he pauses. “What does it mean?”
“Well, obviously I would love to date you,” I say. “That is if you agree to it.”
I expect him to either ask for some more time or to hide back in his shell, but he looks at me wide-eyed as if my words just completely surprised him. “You want to date me? Like… a potential boyfriend?”
“That’s what I am hoping for.” I pause. “Too much, too soon?”
“No!” he exclaims. “I just have never dated before. The scene I was in before was mostly just hook-ups, you know. But I always…” He makes a wide gesture with his hand, looking frustrated.
I take his hand. “You don’t need to explain yourself.”
“Something was missing. But I thought I just couldn’t have a relationship. Like it would be impossible. My parents couldn’t know.” He pauses. “Now I don’t care who knows. I want to date you.”
Something in my stomach makes a backflip in joy. It’s been so long that I felt this...
The butterflies.
Barkley bumps into us with his thick head, letting his tongue hang down while staring at us. “He is hungry,” I chuckle.
Leo smiles. “Actually, he is not the only one.”
I take his hand, finally leading us towards a free table. I am used to being the odd one out; besides, being the vet means everyone knows me anyway. None of them even bats an eye at us first kissing and then talking so seriously.
Only when I sit down does it truly settle in that I kissed Leo, and that I asked him out.
And he said yes.
Once Robin finds out, he will have a field day with me, because I always claimed I don’t believe in love at first sight, and look at me now? I barely know Leo; he arrived here maybe two weeks ago, and that’s all it took me to fall for him.
I know this doesn’t mean much. We’ll see if he reciprocates my feelings and if we work well together, but he is worth the jump.