Chapter Four
TORY
The B otherwise, I'd be tempted to check for missed calls.
I was certain I had a few more from Walter, and maybe my mom too.
Debbie was amazing, as usual. I’d only texted her, Walter is a cheating bastard.
I’m not going through with the wedding. Please tell Mom too, and she’d replied, I’ll grab a shovel.
Want to bury him in Lafayette? No second-guessing me, no other questions asked.
I told her that the only thing I needed help with was canceling the wedding.
She assured me that she would take care of everything. I trusted my friend with my life.
A knock at my door startled me. I opened it and found Leo standing in front of me. With dark brown hair and matching eyes, he’d always looked like a superstar. Right now, his hair was completely ravaged, but that only added to his appeal.
"I’m going downstairs to start making dinner. I made a deal with the host to give us privacy in the kitchen."
"Leo, you don't have to cook."
"I'm making my world-famous risotto, and I promise you that I've gotten way better at it over the years."
I smiled, memories flashing through my mind. It truly had been a staple in college.
"I liked it back then too," I assured him. “I'm going to change into something more comfortable, then come down and help, okay?" Then a realization hit me. "Your stuff is at the hotel.”
“Don't worry, I've got it covered."
"How?"
He wiggled his eyebrows. "I've got my ways."
"Leo!"
"I've spoken with reception and asked them to bring my bag here. I didn't even start to unpack, so all they have to do is literally take it from the room."
"That's good. Did they tell you… anything about the wedding?"
"I didn't ask. And even if they had, I’d keep quiet."
“Leo!” I chastised, folding my arms over my chest.
He mirrored my stance, but it didn't look bad. In fact, he had a whole sexy bodyguard thing going on. Or just plain sexy.
He'd always been extremely attractive. But was he working out more now or…?
I carefully averted my gaze. What am I doing? He’s my best friend. I can’t check him out.
"I’m going to take a shower," I said. I’d completely forgotten what we were quibbling about before, too caught up in my thoughts.
"You do that. I'll be down here."
I loved showers. They were my favorite form of self-care.
I could feel all my muscles relax while the water ran down my body.
I was careful not to wet my hair because Sophie’s hairdryer was tiny, and it would take me hours to dry my mane.
Afterward, I put on a dress. It was extremely warm inside the B&B, so I didn't even have to put on tights.
Even though my chest was heavy and my heart felt like it had simply shattered, the rest of my body was surprisingly at ease. I felt as if I'd been straining every muscle for months, and now I'd finally let loose.
Downstairs, it smelled terrific. Not quite like risotto, though. I mostly followed the scent to find the kitchen. It was in a decent-sized room behind the staircase. It had only a small kitchen table but all the appliances you could need. I realized this must be their personal kitchen.
"It smells delicious, but this is definitely not risotto."
"No, Sophie doesn’t have the right spices. She gave me an earful, too, saying that the only way to properly cook that was to make a jambalaya. I have no clue how to do that.”
"I do."
"I guess I'll try my hand at my first jambalaya, then. Sophie insisted she has all the ingredients."
"Perfect, let’s get started."
I opened the fridge and grabbed a few ingredients. Leo had already grabbed the shrimp. I looked around in the drawers and cabinets until I found the seasonings. Of course she had everything necessary for jambalaya. Any self-respecting owner of a B&B in Louisiana would.
“The bread and butter of jambalaya are the Cajun spices and garlic.”
"Perfect. You want an apron?" He pointed to a stack of colorful cloths.
"Good idea. Can you put it on me, please?" I'd already started chopping tomatoes, and my hands were covered in juice.
"Sure." Leo grabbed one and moved behind me.
"It's easier to knot it at the back of my neck if you push my hair to one side."
He did just that, brushing it away with his fingers. My skin tingled at the contact. What on earth?
I barely had time to dissect my reaction before he moved to tie the apron at my waist.
A shiver ran through me when his fingers grazed my lower back.
God, I was so sensitive today. I couldn't even explain it. Probably just my emotions on overload. Being around Leo was comforting and intoxicating at the same time. It had always been like that when we were together, which was another thing my ex hated. “I just don’t see how you can be best friends with a guy and not want to screw,” he’d said more than once.
Well, I’m not you, Walter.
"You’re done," Leo said, pulling me from my woolgathering.
"Thanks. I'm going to chop the onions and bell peppers."
"How about the shrimp?"
I wrinkled my nose.
"Still don't like to touch it when it’s not cooked, huh?"
I laughed, and it felt good. "No. It gives me the ick."
"I've got you, don't worry."
I truly wasn’t worrying. The world was crashing down around my ears, but Debbie had my back at the hotel, and I was with Leo right here. There was no other place I’d rather be.
Leo’s suggestion to come here was just what I’d needed.
Honestly, when I left the hotel after hearing Walter on the phone, I really didn’t know what to do or where to go.
I was so thankful that Leo was here with me.
He was keeping my mind off everything that happened, and I appreciated that more than he could ever know.
After finishing with the onions, I put the pieces in the pot and stirred a bit, then added rice and water.
Leo threw the shrimp and garlic in a frying pan. While it sizzled, he said, "Sophie also introduced me to her ‘liquor corner.’”
"Wine?" I asked.
"No, but she’s got plenty of bourbons, tequilas, and even a bottle of absinthe."
"That sounds dangerous. If we're going to relive our college days, why not go with tequila shots?"
He grinned. "My thoughts exactly."
This was good. I was doing well, and I wasn't even faking it. It wasn't bravado. Leo simply put me at ease… and on edge at the same time. Was it because I felt safe with him?
Sexiness, a voice said at the back of my mind.
Yes, well, that was 100 percent true, but also completely beside the point.
Leo was a sexy man—I'd always known that. I’d been dating a guy when Leo and I first met in college.
But even after we broke up, nothing ever happened between us, maybe because we didn’t want to risk a very special friendship.
He gave the pan a shake, flipping the shrimp over as I took out a bottle of tequila from the cabinet next to the sink.
Grabbing two shot glasses, I filled them up almost to the brim.
There were plenty of limes in the fruit basket, and I immediately cut two slices. The salt was already on the counter.
I licked my left hand before pouring salt on it. Leo licked his hand and did the same. We each grabbed a slice of lime before clinking our glasses.
"For old time's sake," I said.
"And new beginnings."
Our gazes crossed for a split second, and I nodded. Hell to the yes for new beginnings.
I licked the salt from my hand, then downed the shot without hesitation.
Holy shit. It had been years since I’d had a tequila shot, and I felt like it was going to burn a hole through my stomach.
I bit into the lime, too, but somehow that wasn't helping at all.
I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping the burning sensation in my throat would stop.
Only the sound of Leo laughing made me open my eyes. He had his phone in front of him.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I snapped a picture of you. You’re insanely cute. You make the exact same face you used to in college."
"That's about the last time I had tequila. My tolerance for hard alcohol has plummeted. Let me see that picture."
He turned his phone around.
I gasped. "Leo, I look terrible!"
"No, you don't," he said quietly, then shoved the phone into his back pocket. "Let's get back to cooking before this goes to my head."
"Good point.”
We didn't have much left to do, though. Once we poured everything into the pot, we just had to wait. I kept glancing at the tequila bottle.
"You want another shot, don't you?" Leo asked.
I snapped my head up, smiling sheepishly. "Yup. I can't resist the siren call. It's so relaxing. You know, after you get over the feel of it burning your insides."
"I’ll pour a second round. It's not like we're driving tonight."
I shimmied my hips in excitement, grabbing both our glasses and putting them next to each other in front of the bottle. I swayed a bit.
Huh… am I already a bit lightheaded? I must be imagining it. Alcohol doesn’t work that fast.
Leo filled up the glasses again. This time, he was the one who poured salt.
"To best friends," I said as we clinked glasses.
He looked at me intently. “For you and me.”
I did my very best to down my shot with dignity, no grimace. When I opened my eyes, Leo cocked a brow. "See? I can do it without the funny face."
"Tory," he said in a low voice I wasn't used to.
Then he put a hand on the side of my face, planting his fingers wide so his pinkie was on my neck.
My skin was piping hot where he was touching me.
"You don't have to pretend with me. I like you exactly the way you are, with all your quirks. I always have and always will."