Page 34 of Willowbrooke
“Whendoyou sleep?” I asked. I only understood the broad strokes of insomnia.
“I’ll fall asleep on the couch most nights, at some point. Occasionally, if I’m overly tired, I’ll nap during the day.” He sipped his coffee.
“Have you seen anyone about it?” I might have been overstepping, but Leo had been opening up so much more, I thought it was worth a chance.
“Sure—I’ve got pills. I just hate taking them; they make me feel like a zombie the next day, and sometimes, if they don’t work, it puts me in this awful headspace while my brain fights the drugs to stay awake. I’ll feel agitated—anxious for hours; hyperaware of my surroundings.” Leo shook his head, as if he was trying to shake the memories away. “I didn’t take them for long,” he confessed.
“I’m sorry.”
Leo looked up at me, over his coffee, a small smile tugging at his lips. “It’s okay—it hasn’t been as bad recently…and the new couch is so much more comfortable than the old one.”
I returned his smile.
That evening, Leo showed me into his room for the first time.
He had previously explained that it used to be his father’s study. He had converted it into a bedroom, so he could be close to the solarium at night, if he was needed. His explanation made the dark paneling along the walls make sense. I could easily see the large wood desk from the library in the middle of the room, with George West seated behind it, angrily telling off investors.
The entire right-hand wall was lined with bookshelves. Opposite, on the left side, Leo’s bed was centered on the wall. Leo explained that the door on the right of his bed led to the bathroom, which was also accessible through the solarium.
“I won’t go in there,” I said immediately. I had learned my lesson.
“I know,” he replied confidently.
His bed was as dark and moody as the rest of the room, with charcoal linen sheets and a black duvet of the same material. But it looked so much cozier than the bed in the pink room. I had to resist the urge to dive in and make myselfcomfortable.
Along the wall between the main door and the bookshelves was a clothing rack, where a few suit coats hung. A thick chest of drawers stood next to it, where I assumed Leo kept the rest of his clothes, since the study didn’t have a proper closet.
Heavy dark-blue velvet curtains lined the entirety of the wall facing out to the backyard. I wondered when they had last been opened. Maybe never.
I knew from having seen it from the backyard that they concealed a window seat that matched the one in the library.
“I’ll be in the living room if you need anything; I’ll be quiet—I know how sound can travel in this old house,” he joked awkwardly before taking his leave, closing the door gently behind him.
Sitting down on Leo’s bed, I realized it was as comfortable as I had imagined. I took time to let my eyes wander around the room. I was still touched by the trust he had placed in me, to allow me into his personal space…his sanctuary. I resolved not to touch a single thing, so as not to violate that trust.
Our bond had definitely grown in the weeks I’d been staying at the house, but there were still moments it felt tenuous. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize my friendship with Leo. Project aside, I felt we had grown to rely on each other in small ways, and I would have been devastated to lose that.
Leo’s bedroom was tastefully appointed. I did want to brighten it up a bit, but it suited his state of mind, and it washis—perhaps the only part of that house that he could claim as solely his own. While it was minimalistic, the masculine elements felt right for the space…they felt right for him.
Being surrounded by his musky scent, in his bed, albeit alone, I had to finally admit defeat. I had feelings for Leo beyond a friendship. I’d been pulled to him since the beginning, and I thought he must have been drawn to me in some kind of way as well, or he never would have taken a chance on me like he had.
When I thought of Leo, he made me feel warm. I liked being around him. I loved the way we made each other laugh. I smiled as I realized I could bring out a lightness in him that I hadn’t seen anyone else capable of. It made me feel special.
The warmth spread.
I was in trouble. He was still my boss.
And I wasn’t sure what to do about any of it.
Waking up in Leo’s room the first morning almost felt like a dream. His bed was beyond cozy, and even though he wasn’t in the room with me, it felt like he was all around me, like he had held me in his arms all night. I hadn’t slept so well in ages. I didn’t want to get up.
But alas, duty called, and I knew a fresh cup of coffee and Leo himself awaited me in the kitchen.
“I can’t find her anywhere,” Leo said dejectedly as he slid my steaming mug across the counter.
I watched him as he poured more coffee into his own mug, then took a seat next to me at the counter. His thigh touched mine, sending a zing of electricity up my spine. I was surprised when he made no attempt to sever the connection.
“Who?” I was still groggy from finally receiving the deep sleep I had so desperately needed.
