Page 67 of Willowbrooke
“Thank you.” I rubbed my palm against the small of his back while he worked.
“Speaking of the house, we need to start talking about the exterior work so we’re ready to go in the spring.” He began to throw the cut-up ingredients into a pan, masterfully tossing the vegetables as he sauteed them, a skill that was both impressive and well beyond where my cooking abilities would ever be.
“I didn’t realize you wanted to start work outside so soon—I thought I’d start looking for a place as close as possible within my budget.” I hadn’t mentioned it to him before, but I didn’t want to wear out my welcome in his home.
Leo stopped abruptly and turned to me. “What are you talking about?”
I froze, unsure how to respond.
“You want to—to move out?” he stuttered.
“I just figured when the work was complete, you wouldn’t want…”
I stopped when Leo’s expression became a mixture ofbewilderment and anxiety.
“Do you want to move out?” he repeated himself.
“No.”
Leo released an exasperated breath, then made eye contact with me again. “Please don’t look for an apartment.”
“Okay.” I winced as I instinctively added, “I’m sorry.”
Leo paused again, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into a hug, letting the food crackle on the stove. “I want you here,” he said simply, before kissing my temple and returning to the frying pan.
“Besides”—his tone returned to its naturally jovial state—“if you would have bothered to read the updated contract you signed last month, you would have noticed there was a clause that stipulated you have guaranteed housing while you’re working on the estate.”
“Oh, remind me to send any future paperwork you give me to my nonexistent lawyer,” I retorted.
“I will,” he jested.
I was surprised at the immediate flood of relief that washed over me, knowing that I could stay with him…that he wanted me to stay. I hadn’t realized until that moment, but since Margot was safely situated behind bars, Willowbrooke had begun to feel like home. Leo had always felt that way, but the house had resisted me—or rather, Margot had made it feel that way.
So I had convinced myself over the last few weeks that it would be best if I assumed I would be asked to leave whenthe project was complete. I had been protecting myself—taking action before the other shoe could drop.
There was still a part of me that remained guarded…the last vestiges of my relationship with Adam and the disappointment and shame that radiated from being with him for so long. But hearing Leo say that he wanted me—that he wanted me to stay…I felt the last bits of whatever wall was left crumbling.
After dinner, we made our way over to the living room, like most other nights, wineglasses in hand, cuddling up next to each other on the couch, enjoying the light of the fire and the tree as much as each other’s company.
“So now that your stay has been extended indefinitely—”
“Indefinitely?” I raised a brow; I hadn’t realized he was that serious, but it secretly made me warm to think about remaining at Willowbrooke, with him, without some looming deadline hanging over me.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “Indefinitely.”
I giggled at his indignance, taking a sip of my wine.
“Is there anything you’d change?”
“We’ve barely finished.” I laughed.
“I know, but I’m asking—as the lady of the house—”
I just about spit out my wine at that comment.
Leo narrowed his eyes at me, but there was a glimmer of humor behind them. “Now that this is your home, is there anything you would change?”
“It’s your home,” I countered teasingly.
