That's How it Happens

13. Velvet and Lace

Leo walked into the gym like he was trying to outrun a bad decision. Gloves on, earbuds in, bag dropped with a dramatic thud. Jackson watched him from the bench, one brow raised.

"Again?" Jackson asked, arms crossed.

Leo didn't miss a beat. "What? You working out with someone else?"

Jackson snorted. "No, but I figured you'd be at the coffee shop, whispering sweet nothings to your latte."

Leo grabbed a dumbbell and sat down. "Cutting back on calories."

Jackson blinked. "Cutting calories? For what – wedding pictures?"

Leo rolled his eyes. "Funny. I'm just trying something new."

"New? You've had coffee with Ainsley every morning for five years. You two practically have joint custody of the barista."

Jackson had asked the same question every day since Leo started showing up at the gym instead. No answer yet – and he wasn't holding his breath for one now.

Leo shrugged, pumping iron like the weights might distract him from the truth. "She's being difficult."

He paused mid-rep, then added, "I canceled plans with moms to spend the holidays with the Lace Curtain Confederacy. And now? She's mad at me."

"The who?" Jackson asked, confused.

"So, ungrateful," Leo muttered.

Jackson squinted like Leo had just confessed to joining a cult, and after a few beats, he caught on. "Hold up. You bailed on your own family... to spend Christmas with hers?"

Leo didn't blink. He didn't see the big deal in what he did. He was helping a friend – his best friend – even if it had blown up in his face.

Jackson leaned back, exhaled hard. "I hate to break it to you, man, but that's commitment."

Leo paused mid-rep and turned to face him, eyes locked. Jackson glanced around, then pointed at his own dumbbell with a subtle nod – message received. He resumed his curls like a man who knew better than to challenge a rake. He smiled at this thought. He wouldn't have known what a non-committal man was had it not been for Leo's suggestion to watch the Bridgertons.

They both continued their workout until Leo spoke again.

"I said I'd come for Christmas to help Ainsley. Her sister asked, I agreed. Apparently, that translated to "betrothed" in whatever Jane Austen fever dream they're living in."

Jackson dropped his weight with a loud clang. "You what?"

Leo looked genuinely confused. After all, he was being sarcastic. "It's not a big deal."

Jackson couldn't believe what he was hearing. His best friend – the guy who didn't 'date' – was actually attending a wedding with someone, and it was his idea. He shook his head. "Dude, just admit it."

Leo blinked. "Admit what?"

Jackson gave him the look. The one that suggested Leo was an idiot.

"You like our girl, man."

Leo froze. Jackson thought this was it – the moment Leo would finally confess and he could cash out on the five-year office bet. He could practically hear it cheering in the distance. But then Leo let out a long "psssshhhh" and laughed.

"I don't like Ainsley, bro. We're just friends, no different than you and me. It's what friends do."

Jackson raised a brow. Yeah, right. "You don't do that stuff for me."