Page 30 of The Freeuse Proposal
“I know, lass.” His thumb strokes across my knuckles. “That’s what makes you different.”
I don’t have words for what that does to me. So I press my face into his chest instead, breathing in his familiar scent.
He’s trusted me with something real. Something that cost him. And I’m still keeping this hidden from my best friend.
I push away the guilt before it takes hold. One thing at a time. Right now, I’m here. That’s enough.
We cuddle in comfortable silence, and sleep is tugging at the edges of my consciousness when he speaks again.
“My friend Dane is coming for Christmas. He visits every year. We were at university together.” His voice has shifted, lighter now, though something thoughtful lingers underneath. “I’d like you to meet him properly.”
“I’d like to meet him,” I say, and my chest tightens at the thought of Christmas here, with Leo and his friend. I decide to tell him about losing my parents, knowing he’ll understand.
“My parents died when I was ten,” I say quietly. “Car accident. My aunt took me in after that. My mom’s sister. She was amazing, but she passed a few years ago.”
Leo’s arm tightens around me, and I burrow closer into his warmth.
“I haven’t had real family Christmases in a long time,” I continue. “It’s usually just me and Willow doing something low-key. But this year...” I trail off, looking up at him. “I’m glad I won’t be alone. That I get to be here with you.”
“You’re not alone anymore, lass.” He kisses the top of my head my heart warms.
Later, while Leo reads next to me on the couch, my phone buzzes. Willow’s name flashes on the screen.
Willow:How’s it going with Mr. Moneybags? You’ve been quiet ??
Guilt presses hard against my ribs. She deserves better than my deflection.
My thumbs move before I can talk myself out of it.
Alice:Honestly? It’s complicated. He’s older than I expected to be into. And I’m feeling things I wasn’t prepared for. But I’m happy. Really happy. I’m just not ready to explain all of it yet.
The response comes fast.
Willow:I was worried about you. I’m here when you’re ready. No judgment. You know that, right?
My eyes sting. I do know that. God, I wish that made it easier to tell her everything.
Alice:I know. Thank you. Love you.
Willow:Love you too, mystery woman. ??
I set the phone down next to me. It’s not the whole truth—not even close—but it’s something. A crack in the wall I’ve been building between my two lives.
Maybe that’s enough for now.
I peek at Leo and ask, “Will you read to me?”
Leo smiles. “Of course, my sweet pet.”
He starts from the beginning, adjusting his reading glasses. His voice is low, the accent thicker when he reads. I lose track of the words pretty quickly, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not here for the plot. Just the sound of him. The fact that he’s here.
His fingers thread through mine.
I hold on and let everything else fade.
Chapter 7
I’ve been thinking about it for days.
