An Exceptional Twist (49 page)

This was a loaded question. Pausing a
minute, he inhaled a deep breath without removing his eyes from
hers. He wanted her to really hear what he had to say. “I can’t
speak for all guys, but right now, I need a distraction. I want
someone who doesn’t want me, and I’m losing my fucking mind every
damn day. I have to do something.”

Leah’s eyes were wide as she stood, forcing
him to back up a little. “You love someone? Does she know?”

Looking down at the gravel under his feet,
he admitted solemnly, “No, and I'm not telling her, either.” He
laced his fingers with hers, bringing their joined hands up to his
chest. His blood pumped vigorously under her touch.

She squeezed tight, moving in closer. The
hope in her eyes was evident. “Why can’t you tell her? Maybe she
loves you, too.” She held her breath.

Only if it’s you.
That was just wishful thinking.

Before he did something he’d regret, he
pulled away. “Leah, I dug my hole a long time ago. I’m not getting
out anytime soon.” Looking deep into her waiting eyes, he felt his
heart constrict. Again, his mouth moved quicker than his brain.
“I’m not the guy for her. We could pretend for a while, but
ultimately, I don't have what it takes to be her perfect guy.” He
used the phrase she had when they’d first met, and he wondered if
she’d notice. 

She didn’t.

“Who is she?” Leah asked, the hurt clear on
her face. “Anyone I know?”

He kicked a rock at his feet. “Doesn't
matter. I won’t let it go anywhere. For now, I just need a
diversion to get my mind off of her.” The pain in his chest was
overwhelming. He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her
head. If only this could work, but he wasn’t going to be that
selfish jerk when it came to her. “Let's get back on the road. You
have a big day tomorrow.”

They drove to Santa Barbara and arrived at
the flower shop in record time. Leah turned and placed her hand on
Stefen's forearm. “I think you should tell her. Any girl would be
lucky to have you. And she should be able to make that decision
herself. Don’t do anything you’ll regret later, Stefen.” She
swallowed hard, then slightly parted her lips, waiting for his
response.

“There’s so much I regret, what’s one more
thing?” He offered her a half-hearted smile. “But I'll think about
it. Now get going.” He gave her a playful shove. “You told me not
to let you waste any time, and you won’t let me help.”

Seemingly uncertain what to say next, Leah
bit her lip before leaning in to kiss his cheek.

He wished it had been his mouth instead, but
no matter what she said, he wasn’t going to tell her.

Sadness blanketed her face as she pulled
away. She opened the door and lingered for a moment. “Thanks for
putting up with me and my girly emotions, but don’t do it. There
are healthier distractions.” She closed the door, and he watched
her walk away, shoulders slumped as she tread up the stairs to her
loft.

He growled out, “What the fuck is wrong with
me?” Then he slammed his hand down on the steering wheel several
times before remembering that she was still outside.

Peeking up, he saw her reach the top stair,
turn to wave, then disappear into her apartment.

Dammit, is she crying again?

What was I thinking? I’m not ready to move
on.

Leah always enjoyed preparing for weddings,
but this one was different. If he didn’t take her advice, Stefen
would be at the beach wedding with a date. And she and Stefen had
never discussed her switching venues.

Melissa wasn’t overly excited about the last
minute change. Nonetheless, she was on her way to the vineyard with
the rented refrigerated van, along with one of her friends that was
getting paid for the day. Leah loaded up her own van with all the
flowers she'd arranged last night for Kendra’s wedding.

The last thing she wanted to do was see
Stefen with that raunchy bitch today. She’d undoubtedly be draped
all over him.

No matter how painful it was going to be,
there was no way she could stay away from this wedding. If he
showed up, Stefen would be making the wrong decision, and she
needed to be there to keep an eye on him.

When Stefen admitted to being in love with
someone, she was sure he was talking about her. Their attraction
was palpable. But after reading his closed-off body language, she
realized there was a possibility that it wasn’t her.

Their conversation at the French restaurant
continued to play over and over in her head. He’d talked about
being open to marriage. Could he have already been in love at that
time, and she was too blind it?

Her heart still screamed that he was the
one. If that was true, she didn’t know what she’d do. Without a
doubt, Leah would love to be the one to keep his mind off of anyone
else for the rest of their lives.

Suddenly, all of
her
what
ifs
took the center stage of her
thoughts.

What if we got together, and it didn’t work
out? Could I survive another heartbreak? Could I jeopardize losing
him forever?

Stop it, Leah.
She shook herself out of it. She was making
herself crazy over something that wasn’t even a sure thing. He had
the opportunity to say that it was her and didn’t. He’d said he’d
changed, but after yesterday, she wasn’t so sure.

Why did I let her talk me into this?

Stefen sat at the reception table with the
brash, obnoxious woman he’d met the yesterday. She had a vulgar
mouth, and her loud cackling was a complete turn off. He also
wished that Leah would leave because she was keeping his mind
elsewhere, causing him to feel even more sick about being here.

When he’d walked into the beach house where
the wedding was being held, he wasn’t surprised to still see her
there. She gave some lame-ass story about wanting to let Melissa
and Zachary have more time together, but he knew better. Zachary
had already told him of Melissa’s advances and that he wasn’t
interested. Then Ginny had to come up and plant her big
lipstick-covered mouth on his, right in front of Leah. He pushed
her off of him, but not before Leah darted away.

“There are bedrooms upstairs, if you’re
ready for me,” Ginny slurred, pushing her red hair over her
shoulder. The smell of alcohol on her breath was strong as she ran
her hand up his thigh.

Before she could reach her goal, he jumped
out of his chair. “I need to hit the restroom.”

“Want me to come?” She fluttered her long
fake eyelashes at him.

Sneering, he said, “No, I think I can handle
it myself.”

The tableful of guests watched as she
attempted to grab his crotch. “Are you sure you don’t want me to
handle it for you?”

He winced, yanking away from her. What was
he thinking yesterday? He couldn’t go through with this, especially
with her. How had he ever enjoyed this before? Now he just wanted
to get the hell out.

Excusing himself from the table, he left the
back deck where the reception was being held and stepped into the
beach club house.

“Having fun?” Leah was fiddling with some of
the flowers. She never stayed this late into a reception.

Shaking his head, he admitted, “Not really.
I’m heading out now.” He shoved his hands into his pockets.

Still messing with the flowers, she raised
her eyebrow. “Alone?”

He looked down at the arrangement she was so
interested in. “Yeah, you’re right. This isn’t for me anymore.”

Leah stood up, grinning like a kid on
Christmas. “I’m just about ready to leave myself. Want to watch a
movie at home tonight?”

Although he still hadn’t been successful in
talking her into moving in with him, he loved when she referred to
his place as ‘home’.

Unable to hide his relief, he flashed her a
full smile. “That sounds like the best offer I’ve had all night.
Let me go to the bathroom, and we’ll leave.”

After using the facilities and washing his
hands, Stefen stepped out of the restroom to find Ginny leaning
against the wall, waiting for him. “You weren’t about to leave
without me, were you?”

“Why would you ask that?” He tried to feign
innocence.

Pouting her lips, she pressed her body into
him. “I saw you with that florist and thought maybe she offered you
something.” She made a sound in the back of her throat as if she
was disgusted. “She looks at you like a fucking puppy.”

Glaring at her, he
scoffed, “I’m calling it a night, so yeah, I’m leaving
without
you.”

Completely invading his personal space,
Ginny became flush with his body. “Oh, please don’t go. I had such
amazing plans for us tonight.”

He raised his hands, stepping back. “I
shouldn’t have come. I’m not into this. Could you please move?”

She was undeterred,
running both of her hands up and down his thighs. “Oh, please. I’ll
do
anything
you
want. No restrictions.”

“
Pendeja
, he said he wasn’t
interested.” Leah appeared from around the corner, and approached
with a hell-bent fire in her eyes. “Now get your fucking hands off
of him so we can leave.”

He squeezed his eyes
tight, the moment he heard Leah speak.
I
wonder how much she heard.

Spinning around, Ginny nearly lost her
balance. “Just who the hell do you think you are?” she barked. “You
were hired to do the flowers, not to be my date’s bodyguard.”

Leah folded her arms over her chest. “You’re
embarrassing yourself. You should go. I’m sure some other guy would
be happy to take you up on your offer.”

Ginny’s bloodshot eyes went wide as she
struggled for a response. “Why are you even watching us? That’s
perverted.”

“Enough.” Stefen stepped toward Leah, his
eyes on Ginny. “You need to step away and shut the hell up. We’re
leaving.” He grabbed Leah by the hand, pulling her away. He’d never
seen her get so riled up before, and he wasn’t about to have her
lose it—or future business—over his shitty choices.

“Wait, I need to finalize things with the
bride.” Leah tried to stop and pull away.

Stefen wasn’t stopping. “If it’s a matter of
settling a bill, I’ll pay the damn thing. Let’s go.”

“Stefen, you can’t pay…”

He snapped his head at her. “Not now, Leah.
We have to get out of here before this escalates, and your business
is dragged through the mud.”

Her free hand flew up to her mouth. “I
didn’t think about that.”

Stefen nodded once.
Subject closed
. “Do you
have your stuff?”

“Yes.”

“Give me your keys.”

She handed them over, and he opened her door
but didn’t let her go inside just yet. Running his thumb across her
cheek, he said, “Thank you for saving me. I’m sorry I put you in
that position.”

She looked into his eyes and pleaded,
“Please don’t do that again, Stefen. I can’t stomach it. You’re
better than that.” Her eyes darted between his.

“I don’t plan on it,” he
muttered, smiling now that he realized where they were headed.
“Still up for a fun-filled night on the couch?”
If only
, he thought. He squeezed his
eyes shut and shook his head. “I mean…watching movies.”

“Sounds good to me.” She grinned. “I’ll
follow you.”

He shut her door, and she started up the van
as he made his way to his own car.

After he pulled onto the road, he went over
everything that’d happened. He never wanted to do that to Leah
again, but watching her about to fight another girl for him got his
blood pumping.

So fucking hot.