Emily and Ryan had, and what Gloria and Tiny had. Shoot, I’d even take what Gigi and Gus had, but what I didn’t want was something that lasted a week or two and then was over. I deserved better than that. If I wanted to get married, if I wanted to have children, maybe it wasn’t too late for me, but that wasn’t going to happen with Leo because he was temporary.
“Thanks for the offer, Leo,” I said patiently, “but I think I’ll pass. How was your interview, by the way?” I said that to remind him that I knew he was already halfway out of my life.
“The interview? Oh, it went well. Have a drink with me and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“Another time, okay? You go enjoy the rest of your evening.”
He put his hand on my arm as I started to walk away. “Hey, are you okay? What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. “Nothing’s wrong. I really am just tired.” I really was. I wasn’t mad at him. I couldn’t be mad at him for not living here. Could I?
“Did something happen?”
Oh, quite the opposite. Nothing had happened. Not to me, at least. And nothing was going to happen to me because I was practically invisible around here. “Nothing happened, so no need to rescue me tonight, Leo. I’m not Cinderella. I have both my shoes. I really just need to get home.”
“Before you turn into a pumpkin?”
“Something like that.”
“Then how about I walk you home, Mayor Callaghan?” He bowed, tipping again ever so slightly.
“I’m pretty sure I’m in better shape than you, so I think I’ll be just fine.”
“Okay, then think of me as your security detail.”
“That’s comical. You do realize you’re drunk, right?”
He straightened up. “Hardly at all. Give me two ibuprofen and a big glass of water, and I’ll be totally sober.”
I chuckled against my will. “That will take care of your hangover tomorrow, but I’m not sure it will do you much good right now. Even so, water. Go drink some water.” I started walking down the sidewalk.
He trotted along beside me. “I can’t. I’m busy walking you home. Do you have water at your place? Aren’t you the mayor? Isn’t it your job to keep drunks off the street?”
“Technically that job falls to my father, but trust me, you do not want my father getting involved in this. If you’re in the mood for drinks, I suggest you head that way to the Imperial Hotel. Gloria and Tiny’s reception was in full swing when I left.”
“Then why did you leave?”
I tamped down a sigh. “I’m pretty sure that’s where this conversation started. I left because I’m tired and want to go home.”
“Excellent. I will walk you.”
I didn’t have the energy to take this ride again. “Okay, Boy Scout. You may walk me home.” With any luck he’d have his bearings by the time we got there, then I could send him off to his own place, which, I suddenly realized, was a mystery to me. “Where do you live?” I asked.
“Over that way.” He gestured broadly, indicating he lived somewhere between our present location and the lake.
“Maybe I should walk you home, instead.”
“Ohh, I like the way you think, but what would the neighbors say if I brought some woman back to my rental cottage?”
I guessed I was glad to know that he didn’t make a habit of doing that. Or so he said. “People will say pretty much the same thing if they see you walking me home. Someone saw us kissing on my porch the other night. I got quite the interrogation from the women at Drunk Puzzle Night.”
“Really? What did you tell them?” He looked very eager to hear, but I wasn’t about to get into that.
“So, again, how was your interview? Did you get the job?”
He scowled at my redirection, and we walked for a few feet before he finally answered. “It went well. Thanks for asking. As far as the job goes, it’s really something that’s just being formulated right now. Nothing’s official.”
“Is it in Washington?”
“Part of the time. There would be a fair amount of travel involved. Lots to still mull over. Tell me about the wedding.”
We continued walking, past Tasty Pastries, past Link & Patty’s, past the Episcopal church and its tall white steeple. I told him about Tiny pushing Gloria by the ass into the white bridal carriage and about watching Vera VonMeisterburger doing the Macarena on the dance floor.
“What’s the latest on your