The Right One - Felice Stevens Page 0,33
jaw and cheeks. Jeffrey had always liked him clean-shaven, and he’d continued to shave twice a day out of habit, but no more.
He’d even run out to the bodega on the corner and picked up a bouquet of flowers to bring for Peter’s wife. All he needed was Leo.
Realizing they hadn’t exchanged numbers for Leo to text him, Morgan went outside to wait for him. At six fifteen, Leo coasted in front of the building, and Morgan’s heart picked up speed. In a black T-shirt and faded jeans ripped in some interesting places, Leo was every fantasy Morgan had dreamed of since he was fourteen and figured out he liked guys.
Only, Leo was real.
“Hi,” Morgan said as Leo drew closer. “I wasn’t sure where to meet you since we don’t have each other’s phone numbers.”
“Guess you worked it out all by yourself. And you brought me flowers? Aw, aren’t you sweet.”
Looked like the weirdness between them had faded, and if Leo wanted to handle what happened earlier by ignoring it, that was fine with Morgan. But that didn’t mean he had to let Leo control the narrative between them.
“Yes, I am. Damn sweet. But they aren’t for you.”
Leo scowled. “Come on. Here’s your helmet.”
Morgan buckled it on, and after laying the flowers across his lap, settled in behind Leo and grabbed him around the waist. They roared off.
“Is this a Harley?” Morgan asked when they stopped at a light.
He felt Leo’s laughter throughout his whole body. “No. I can see you’re a motorcycle aficionado.”
“Well, excuse me. I’m just trying to make conversation. Of course I’m not. I’ve never been on one before the other night.” Offended, Morgan decided to shut up. This would be the last time he wasted his energy on being nice to Leo.
They rode in silence until the next red traffic light. “It’s a Ducati. I bought it off Peter. He runs a garage. Some dude busted it up in an accident and didn’t have the money to pay for repairs, so Peter bought it from him cheap. It was already pretty old, but he and I worked on it. It’s in decent shape now.”
Mollified that Leo had taken the time to explain, Morgan felt his annoyance dissipate.
Not long after, they stopped in front of a small two-story home with a riot of flowers cascading from planters at the front windows. A tall tree threw shade over the house, and when they opened the gate, the smell of food and the sound of music and children laughing reminded Morgan of his childhood and all the weekend parties his parents had in their backyard.
“This way. You should meet Peter and Marla first.” Leo walked away, and Morgan hurried after him.
An imposing man with a short black beard stood holding two young boys, one in each arm, like they weighed nothing. Next to him was a woman around Morgan’s age. Her long, thick, brown hair was twisted in a messy bun, and her big brown eyes looked kind. When she caught sight of Leo, her face broke out in a huge smile.
“You came. I told Peter, ‘I bet Leo bails on us,’ and I was planning on coming over to your place and dragging you over here.”
“I wouldn’t dare disappoint you, Marla, because I know you’re telling the truth. Peter, no lie, man, your wife is a force. I’m more afraid of her than you.”
Peter kissed the top of her head, and the love in his eyes was unmistakable. “She’s my life force. Now, are you going to at least try and pretend you have some manners and introduce us?” He directed a friendly smile at Morgan, who returned it automatically, feeling a connection with these people even though they were strangers.
“It wouldn’t matter. Leo has none, especially when it comes to me. Hi, I’m Morgan Cantrell. Thanks for inviting me to your home.” He held out the bouquet of flowers to Marla, whose smile beamed even brighter.
“Morgan. You are so sweet. I love them. Thank you.” Impulsively, she leaned over and gave him a kiss. “Don’t pay attention to Leo. He’s really a pussycat.”
A pussycat? Morgan doubted that. More like a lion, and Morgan was waiting to see if he’d survive Leo’s roar.
* * *
TEN
* * *
Watching Marla cozy up to Morgan gave Leo hives. When she hooked her arm through his and declared the two of them were going inside to have a chat, Leo knew it would be more like an interrogation. Morgan didn’t stand a