Sister Mother

Chapter 3

Addie

"Are you seeing anyone?" I asked, surprised at how loud my voice was.

Leo shook his head. "Not at the moment. What about you?"

I almost choked on my hot chocolate. "Oh I've got tons of guys knocking on my door. The only problem is, they're all either guys I'm related to, or someone reminding me to pay my bills."

"I was just asking," Leo said defensively.

"I was just answering. Even if there was someone, there isn't time for me to date."

"You should make time for yourself." He grabbed my hand.

I smiled as his thumb stroked my palm. Do it, Addie. Just say those stupid three words that you've secretly been dying to say for four years. He shoveled your driveway, but was still an asshole. Suck up your fears and end this stupid game!

"Your eyes look like chocolate," I spat.

Leo raised his eyebrows. "Do you want to eat them?"

"No!" I pulled my hand away from his so that I could hide my face. "I invited you in for hot chocolate because your eyes have always reminded me of chocolate. I like marshmallows but I could never have any without anything, but I like chocolate because it reminds me of your eyes. They also look like hazelnuts. Chocolate hazelnuts. Your eyes are chocolate hazelnuts." I peeked behind my fingers.

Leo knitted his eyebrows together. "Okay um, thanks. What were you going to say before you chickened out?"

I love you. "I hate you."

"I hate you too."

"Is that why you're here?"

"I'm here because—"

"I don't need or want you to fix any of my problems."

"Mags said—"

"I've got a good idea of what she said. That I'm a mess and you don't stand a chance at helping me because I'm too stubborn. But you came anyway. Why?"

"To see how you're doing."

I scoffed, not satisfied with his answer.

"Adds—"

"Lee," I whispered, terrified of moving forward, but so sick of the past. Vulnerability wasn't my strong suit. "I-I-I love you. There, I said it first. Can you just fucking kiss me already?"

Leo grinned and walked over to me. He picked me up, put me on the kitchen table and pressed his forehead against mine. "It's about damn time."

"Please don't make fun—"

"I love you too, Adds." He smiled and cupped my cheek. "I've been waiting for you to say it again since we were outside."

My mouth fell open. "You heard me when you were shoveling?"

He nodded. "I wasn't going to stop shoveling just to tell you something you already knew." His fingers traced down my jawline. "You said it first, twice now. I can kiss you without losing our game, right?"

"You better."

My frantic and fragile heart pounded against the thin walls of my chest as Leo lowered his mouth to mine.

He was gentler than I was. His lips were soft and folded over mine slowly. He parted my lips with his tongue. I raked my hands through his hair and wondered how on Earth we had been so paitent for the last four years. I pressed my chest against his. One of his hands grabbed my waist. He pulled me closer so that our bodies were flush against each other. I pulled the neck of his shirt closer to me, losing the patience I'd built up over the last few years. A gentle vibration traveled from his mouth to mine as he moaned. His hands seemed to be everywhere at once; on my breasts, around my waist and tangled in my hair. We only broke away to catch our breath.