Page 73 of The Clinch
Sal beams. “My man. Always.” He turns back, still grinning. “I always keep a stack for you, buddy.”
I glance at Leo. “So you’re candy loyal.”
“When you know, you know,” he says, perfectly straight faced.
But his eyes don’t smile.
They wait.
The corner of my mouth lifts before I can stop it. “Sour Patch is my favorite too.”
Something sharp flickers across his face, like hope trying to stay hidden.
“We’re candy compatible,” I add lightly. “Huge for our future.”
Leo’s grin shows up quick and dangerous.
I should roll my eyes.
I don’t.
Sal slides the beers onto the counter, then drops the Sour Patch beside them with unnecessary ceremony.
“On the house.” He turns to me, delighted, “He’d come for these every day. Fifteen summers in a row.”
I pick up the bag and pop the seal.
Then I look at Leo over the top of my sunglasses. I hold my palm out between us. “Open.”
He blinks once, deciding. Then his mouth parts slowly, controlled, and his eyes stay on mine like he’s giving me permission to do damage.
I drop one onto his tongue.
My gaze snaps to his mouth, traitorous. Heat crawls up my throat.
His eyes close briefly, then open again, darker. I hate how much I like him like this. Quiet. Still. Letting me do things to him.
“You’re up,” I say, because if I don’t move first, I’ll lose my nerve.
He tips a single piece into his palm and lifts it toward my mouth.
I part my lips.
The candy slides in, and his thumb grazes my bottom lip as he pulls back.
Barely there. Everywhere.
Leo doesn’t smile. He looks held together by willpower alone. For half a second, I see what it costs him.
Then a squeal cuts through the music.
“Oh my God,” a girl says, loud and thrilled. “Wait. Are you guysthem?”
The girl is already pulling out her phone, her friend bouncing beside her. “Can we get a picture? Lionheart? Please?”
Leo answers before I can. “Yeah. Sure.”
He keeps his tone easy, like this is normal. I tuck myself slightly behind his shoulder and let it happen.
