Page 110 of Wrong For Me

Rose

Ido everything I can to avoid my dad for the entire day. I know he notices, but I don’t really give a shit. I wasn’t kidding when I told Leo I didn’t think I could be in the same room as him. In fact, I don’t think I even realized exactly how angry I was about the whole NDA thing until I saw him glaring at Leo.

Poor Leo. He’s holding up very well, in spite of the craziness of my family. He’d been downright brave, a total badass, staring down my dad and uncles. I know how intimidating they can be. It’s not every day a person gets death glares from famous rock stars.

But he handled it better than I would have expected. Part of me wondered if he might turn cold and distant in response to their rudeness, but he remained perfectly calm. And now he’s enduring my Aunt Paige while she chatters on to him about her black belt in taekwondo. What got her on the subject of martial arts, I have no idea. I gave up trying to understand her years ago.

“He’s really cute,” my little sister whispers in my ear.

I grin at her. “Right?”

Violet’s grin turns mischievous. “Is he a good kisser?”

I sigh dramatically. “Wasn’t it only yesterday you still thought kisses were gross and boys had cooties?”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m almost fourteen, Rosie. I’ve kissed a ton of boys.”

“What?” I yelp, genuinely shocked. “Since when? Who? Why don’t I know this?”

Vi cracks up. “Just kidding. You should see your face. You’re as bad as Daddy.”

I pull the end of her ponytail. “Watch it, kid.”

“Ooh,” Paige says suddenly, standing up. “I should go get dessert ready.”

“Did you make us worms in dirt, Aunt Paige?” Violet asks.

“Duh,” Paige says. “It’s only the best dessert ever.”

“Worms in dirt?” Leo asks as she darts away towards the house.

“Gummy worms in chocolate pudding with crushed up Oreos. Real gourmet stuff over here.” I lean a little closer. “How you holding up?”

He lets out a breath. “Paige is…energetic.”

I laugh. “Didn’t let you get a word in, did she?”

“Not really.”

“Thank you for doing this,” I murmur, and he brushes my hair back.

“My pleasure.” He studies my face. “Is someone going to punch me if I kiss you right now?”

I laugh. “How aboutIkissyou?”

“No arguments here.”

I’ve barely pressed my lips to his when a chorus of voices shouts out, “oooh!” I roll my eyes but Leo just laughs at my cousins.

“You about ready to get out of here?” I ask.

He narrows his eyes. “Hmm. You’re going to make me leave before dessert? I kind of wanted to experience worms in dirt.”

I lean in closer. “I have an entire box of Swiss Cake Rolls at my apartment for you. I hid them in the vegetable drawer so River wouldn’t eat them.”

“God you’re amazing.”

I laugh, standing up. “I’m just gonna run to the bathroom. You okay if I leave you alone?”