That's How it Happens

19. The Outline of a Mistake

Leo stood outside the manor, watching Victoria disappear inside like she owned the air around her. Lunch had been... enlightening. He liked her, in a terrifying, high-functioning way. She was sharp, strategic, and fiercely protective of her daughters – so much so that she couldn't let go of control even when it was choking them. She reminded him of Ainsley in all the worst and best ways.

Which only made him stare down the tree-lined path toward the guest house.

Instead of marching down there like a lunatic, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

"Yo," came Jackson's voice, already breathless.

Leo rubbed a hand down his face. "Remind me again why I left you in charge?"

"Hello to you, too, Boss," Jackson replied dryly. "Did you need something, or were you just calling to complain since you didn't use my cell?"

"Normally I'd talk to Ains, but I'm talking about her, so I'm stuck with you."

"Aww. You do love me."

"I took Ainsley's mom out for lunch..."

There was a pause. Then laughter.

"Are you hot for moms now?"

Leo stared at the phone like it had betrayed him. "Are you smoking again? Just because we're friends doesn't mean you're exempt from drug testing."

He lowered his voice. "No, I am not hot for Victoria, you degenerate. I handled something for her."

"I'm sure you did," Jackson snorted. "Let me guess – Moms hot for you now? Or is it the sister? She's fine as hell."

There was a loud bang, followed by muffled swearing. Leo pictured Jackson falling out of his chair, probably with his feet on the desk.

"Can you be serious for one second?" Leo whisper-shouted, glancing around like someone might be listening.

He wasn't sure why he felt paranoid. Maybe because with this family, someone was always watching. Calling Jackson had been a mistake. But who else was there? Ethan? On a leash. Eugene? The mannequin? That thought made him shudder.

"Okay, okay," Jackson said, voice booming through the receiver.

"Are you talking to me like that?" Leo asked, squinting. "Are you with someone?"

"Love guru at your service," Jackson announced proudly.

"You're an idiot."

"Agreed."

Leo sighed. "Just tell me what I'm supposed to do. Ainsley's acting weird. She's not playing along. She won't even look at me unless it's to glare. And she keeps disappearing while I'm over here playing brother of the year to the putz marrying her sister.

And it was about to get worse. He could feel it.

"Where's she going?"

"I don't know," Leo admitted. "But I feel like she's hiding something."

He paused. "Victoria's throwing another party tonight."

"That woman's an animal. Didn't she already have an engagement party?"

"These people throw parties for everything. I swear, if their dog poops in a new spot, it's champagne and string quartets."

"And you haven't invited me?"

"Never happening."

"I love poop parties."

Leo rolled his eyes. "I'm meeting her grandmother at a lemonade party later this week."

"Sounds thrilling," Jackson yawned.

Leo stared at his phone, wondering if he could reach through it and slap him.

"I know you don't want to hear this," Jackson said, "but I told you – Ainsley's from a different class."

"I don't even know what that means."

"It means she's not one of your usual girls. You pick women who fall at your feet and follow your dumb dating rules. Ainsley's not built like that. She's a planner. Just tell her what you're doing and let her help plan it."

Leo poked his temple. "How do you not know these things?" he muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. Thinking."

"I bet that hurts."

Leo looked at his phone again. Was he losing it, or had he just heard... the mannequin?

"Are you sure you're alone?"

"Of course. Are you sure you're not high?"

Jackson laughed. "You were thinking. That's new. Maybe create an outline. Give her graphics. You do it in meetings all the time. This time, the subject is the two of you."

"These people make itineraries just to survive breakfast. She doesn't need graphs."

Leo blew out a breath. Maybe Jackson was onto something.

"Maybe I'll pitch it as an extended holidate. We do this stuff all the time."

"Not with family..."

"It's different. Okay, it's very different. But we can do it. We're great together."

Silence.

"I mean – we're best friends. We do everything together. We can do this."

Jackson didn't respond. Leo wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Jackson or himself.

"Besides, she doesn't know what a real gentleman is anyway."

"Oh boy," Jackson said.

"That's what I'll do," Leo said, voice rising with excitement. "I'll treat her so good she won't want to walk away."

Silence again.

Leo opened his mouth to clarify, but the words didn't come.

"That's not what I –" Jackson started, then stopped. "You know what? Sounds like you've got it all figured out. Call me if you need backup."

"I won't," Leo said, and hung up.

He stared down the path toward the guest house.

This wasn't a bet anymore. It was something else. And he wasn't sure he was ready for it.