That's How it Happens

3. Negotiating with a devil in a pantsuit

Ainsley groaned and was surprised when she spouted out the next line.

"I haven't been home in five years, Leo. I've never fit in with all of...that," she struggled to find the right word. Nothing came to mind.

"They can't be that bad," Leo stated as if he had read Ainsley's thoughts.

She didn't have a response to that. Besides, Leo wouldn't understand. His mother epitomized a TV mom: warm, loving, and motherly. Ainsley's brow arced in a silent, disbelieving arch, and she remained quiet. "Come on! Your Aunt is great!"

The streetlight turned green, and they continued with the crowd, pushing through the incoming traffic.

"The one who refers to you by your body parts?" She grumbled.

"I can't deny that those body parts aren't superbly sculpted." Her eye-roll was instant, and he basked in it; her annoyance was a reward. He rather enjoyed getting under her skin.

"Aunt Kate is her own species," she responded dryly.

He couldn't help but laugh. Ainsley was right. Her aunt was...well, he couldn't exactly think of a word to describe her. He liked her, though, even if she was a tad handsy. In five years or so of friendship, she was the only family member he had met. He knew from offhand comments Ainsley had made over the years that the relationship with her family was strained, but he never knew why. He never questioned it, either. When Ainsley wanted to tell him something, she usually did. He knew from experience not to pry; she would only shut down.

"She's the complete opposite of my mother, whose life's purpose is to marry off her daughters to wealthy and successful families." Leo cut his eyes at her, shocked she was continuing, yet finally understanding. You never forced Ainsley to do anything. "And let's not get started on my sister. Liv, well, she is perfect; pliable."

And maybe a little jealous?

"She's a contortionist?" Leo asked, trying to lighten the mood. Ainsley rarely let things rattle her, and seeing her unsettled tugged at him more than he expected. He'd unpack the out-of-date societal rules later. "No, hold on. Let me guess - Pilates instructor? They bend like rubber bands, you know." He gestured with his coffee cup, half-grinning. "You should introduce," he added, only partly teasing. If Liv shared even a sliver of Ainsley's spark, it could be a match made in heaven. Stunned to silence by the thought, his smile faltered into a quiet frown.

"Ew," Ainsley responded vehemently, prompting another look from Leo. "She's engaged, Leo," she emphasized, like he'd just suggested dating a nun. "I meant..." She inhaled sharply, then let it out in a sigh that sounded like it had been aging in a barrel. "My mother cloned herself into a younger tyrant. Everyone, and I mean everyone, bends over backwards for Liv. Now, she's getting married to her whose-her-what's-it, and I'm here, as Chris so helpfully pointed out, a messy disaster. I don't have a life outside of work."

Or you, she nearly let slip, but bit it back and sighed again. That truth was a little too raw to toss into the mix, and besides, she didn't want that to change.

"I can't keep a guy interested long enough to finish a Netflix series. I mean, seriously." Another breath, another sigh. She was really getting worked up.

"That's what you have me for..."

"I have nothing to offer these people."

As soon as the words were out, the weight of them settled. She had always been the odd one out - the variant in the family.

"Whoa!" Leo halted so fast Ainsley nearly collided with him again. He turned, eyes locked on hers. "I'm your guy," he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.