Chapter Six

I realized I was still holding Leo's hand as we came to the glass door leading out to the porch, and I quickly dropped my hand from his as we positioned ourselves to peek out on the couple. I was trying hard to keep my distance and not touch him. Touching Leo only let my heart hope for things it couldn't have.

The night was dark and the porch unlit, but there was still enough light for us to be able to watch. I pulled on the curtain, hiding us further from their sight.

We huddled together in the dark, peeking through the small space available to see, and I couldn't help but notice how he was pressed into me. Or was I pressed into him? Either way, we were touching and it was making it hard to think. I took a deep breath to try and center myself, but succeeded only in taking in his scent instead. Pure, clean and male. My heart skipped several beats before I could force it to start again.

“What's going on?” Leo asked again, a chuckle in his voice. His muscled arm was strong under his suit jacket as I held onto him in the dark. “What are we doing here?”

“It's a romantic reunion,” I whispered back, trying my best to focus not on Leo and barely succeeding. Ten years of trying to ignore him helped, but it was hard with him this close.

Outside, Bastian was gripping the railing of the deck like he might tumble off the earth if he didn't hold on tight enough. Ava stood shaking in the pale moonlight with determination and fear on her face. I had promised her that he would welcome her back with open arms, and this wasn't exactly that.

“Damn it,” I hissed as Bastian's shoulders hunched. “He should have just kissed her when he first saw her. This isn't how it is supposed to go!”

“Just being happy? Eh, that's not Bastian's style. He's got to have the drama,” Leo replied, peeking out at the two of them with me. “What do you think they're even talking about out there?”

I shrugged, but noticed that Bastian had perked up at whatever Ava was telling him. Maybe this could be the romantic, happy ending I had hoped for. “I don't know. Hopefully something wonderful.”

I could feel Leo's eyes roll without even having to look at him. “You are such a hopeless romantic.”

I gave him a gentle push with my hip, trying not to notice how solid he was in the process. “I like being a hopeless romantic, thank you very much.”

Leo snickered and puffed up his chest. “Ava, I am a billionaire with a dark past, but I can't possibly look more handsome right now,” Leo said in a deep voice that was meant to make fun of Bastian.

I giggled. He had Bastian down perfectly.

“Oh, Bastian,” Leo continued, adopting a high, squeaky, feminine voice and tossing his head around like he had long hair. “You're absolutely right. The only man who could possibly look more handsome than you is Leo.”

I smacked his arm, but giggled anyway. “Shh.”

He grinned in the dark and reached for the door. I was afraid he was going to give us away, but the couple outside was too enraptured in one anther to notice. The smell of fresh ocean and sand wafted into the house, mixing with the wonderful scent of Leo's cologne. Their voices were soft, but audible.

“Why are you here, Ava?” Bastian asked, his voice thrumming with hope. Ava took another step forward and touched his cheek. She traced the scar from his cheek bone down to the tip of his lips before speaking. Her love for him was obvious.

“I'm here because I had to tell you I love you.” She smiled, and the truth of her words shone in her eyes brighter than moonlight. “I love you, Bastian.”

Bastian didn't respond with words, he simply pulled her into him, kissing her like she was everything he had ever needed in his life. I couldn't help but blush at the sheer passion, but I knew a sappy smile was plastered across my face. This was the ending I wanted for them.

“I love you, too, Ava,” Bastian replied, his voice rough with emotions. He bent to kiss her again and I grinned.

I wanted to whoop and jump for joy. My brother and my friend were happy. This was the moment I had wanted to create from the moment I saw Ava pull up in that cab. I grabbed Leo's arm and gave him a hug. He was so solid and strong beneath me that I let myself stay there for a moment. “It's perfect, Leo. That's love.”

Leo frowned, his whole body still as he watched the reunion scene. “He really loves her, doesn't he?”

“Well, yeah!” I grinned up at him, still keeping my arms wrapped around him. “Isn't it great? They're so perfect for each other. You should see them together, Leo. It's honestly the happiest I've ever seen him. He smiles more and he isn't so damn angry all the time. He actually can control his temper now. He's happy. Like really, honestly joyful.” I knew I was rambling, but I was just so giddy with their love. Bastian deserved someone as wonderful as Ava in his life.

“You really think they're going to last?” Leo asked, frowning as he continued to peer out the window. “I just remember the last time...”

I knew that Leo had been one of the major supports for Bastian the last time Bastian's heart had been broken. “You're a good friend to worry about him, Leo.” I looked out, reveling in the warm glow that surrounded the lovers. It brought tears to my eyes. “But, yes. I do. I really, really do. I've never seen anything like the two of them. It's basically magic.”

“Magic, huh?” Leo asked, turning to look at me. I realized I was still snuggled up and holding onto his arm. I released my grip on him go with a blush. Leo's eyes were dark and I could see thoughts running through them. He was probably just thinking of his friendship with Bastian and how it would change with a new girl in the picture.

I went back to looking out the window at the happy couple, wrapping my arms around myself. I was just so glad to see two people I cared about getting their happy ending. I was glad it was Leo here sharing it with me. Of all the people in the world, I wanted to share a moment like this with him.

He was still close enough for me to be able to feel his warmth. The air conditioning was running at full blast inside the house, so his heat was a welcome respite from the cool. I wished I could cuddle up into him and soak the heat from him directly. My chest squeezed with longing, my heart aching for more of Leo than I could ever have.

“Charlotte...” My name came out heavy like honey on Leo's voice. The way he said it sent pleasurable shivers down my spine. It was how I always wanted him to say my name right before he kissed me.

I turned, expecting to see Leo looking at me the way Bastian was looking at Ava, hopefully as caught up in the magic of their love as I was, but instead I found him looking at the event coordinator hurrying down the hallway.

“There you are!” the woman called out gratefully, stopping whatever Leo was going to say next. She hurried up to the two of us, barely giving our strange position behind the curtain a second glance. “Do you know where Mr. Belrose is? It's time for his speech. The champagne is being passed out. There isn't much time.”

“Thank you, I'll let him know,” I replied, rising from my spot and smoothing my dress. I hoped she didn't think we were peeping toms. I just wanted to make sure that my brother and my friend got the happy ever after they deserved.

The woman nodded and hurried back toward the sounds of the party. With a sigh, I looked over at Leo. “Were you going to say something?”

“It can wait.” He shook his head with a sad smile that made me curious. He probably just had some droll comment about me being a hopeless romantic. “Go get him for his speech. He worked hard for it.”

I grinned at him and went to the door.

“I'm sorry to interrupt,” I announced stepping outside. I grinned at the two of them, even though I was obviously interrupting their kiss. “But it's time for your speech, Bastian.”

Bastian grinned at the beautiful woman in his arms. “Come with me.”

She willingly took his arm as he escorted her inside. I held up my hand and gave them both high-fives as they passed. The two of them walked with a happy glow surrounding them that I couldn't help but envy as I held the door open. I'd never seen my brother look so happy, and that filled my heart with joy.

Once they were off the porch, I came inside to follow them. I got two steps down the hall before Leo grabbed my hand.

“Come with me.” It wasn't a question or a demand.

“But the speech...” I stammered, feeling a new heat in his gaze as he looked at me. Something had changed in his eyes, but I wasn't sure what.

“You know what he's going to say,” Leo said, giving me a gentle tug back toward the moonlit porch. “Do you really need to hear it?”

I paused for a moment, looking after the happy couple and then back to Leo. His hand was still on mine and I didn't want him to let go. Ever.

“Okay,” I whispered, just happy to have him with me.