What Comes Next

Chapter 27: Leonardo

Chapter 27: Leonardo

Men, women, and children of all backgrounds clustered around the luggage carousel, keeping an eye out for their bags. After a few minutes a six foot man with short, graying hair walked our way wearing blue jeans, a black turtle neck, and a brown leather jacket. "Nellie. Long time no see." Antoinelle's legs weakened and I pulled her tighter for support.

I felt her swallow before she replied, "Yeah." He looked me over and sighed, "And you are.." I held out my hand. "Leo Spencer. Antoinelle's husband." His face hardened and I felt a small smile form on Antoinelle's face. We had picked out ring for me to match Nel's earlier today, and I could see a bit of shock cross his face as he looked at our hands.

"I'm joking sir. I'm only her boyfriend."

He let out a deep breath. "You got me excited. I thought she finally had someone to take care of her." He walked ahead of us and into my car.

I looked at Antoinelle. "You're okay. Just make him more uncomfortable than you. It works, trust me." I took his suitcase and placed it in the back, something he could've done, but no worries.

I got into the seat and drove in silence to the Four Seasons. We helped him up to his room and sat on the couch, with Nel practically on my lap while he unpacked. I couldn't think of anything to say so I just pulled her close and hugged her reassuringly.

He walked out to tell us the plan. "I have dinner with some business friends in town, so our dinner will be tomorrow night. You can hang out around the hotel or go about your own business. Whatever you wish. I'll be going now." He left out the door.

"Business. He blows me off again for business!" says a rattled Antoinelle.

"I'm not on his side, but his friends probably leave tomorrow."

She huffed and grabbed my hand. "If he's not going to enjoy a five-star hotel, we sure are."

~

"Swimming?! You expect me to go swimming in sixty degree weather. Are you insane?"

She shook her head and threw a towel at me. "Yes. My mom was from Alaska of all places and I grew up doing that. It's not that cold."

"To you. I'm not jumping in there!"

A devious smile formed on her face. "Then I'll just have to help you."

I backed away from the pools edge. "I'm not dressed appropriately."

"Neither am I. We can just swim in our clothes."

I smirked. "Or we could skinny dip."

She went to punch me so I backed up, but rather than hit me she shoved me off the edge of the pool. I grasped for support, but only caught air as I fell into the icy cold water. The impact was sharp and painful, but I managed to float to the top.

As my head popped up she jumped in drenching me with a downpour of even more cold water. "He he." she said. I was swimming to the edge but she jumped on my back, practically drowning me, but effectively stopping my efforts to get out of the water. "Why couldn't we just do this in a heated pool? You know, indoors. In decent weather."

She giggled. "But that's no fun."

We took off three layers of clothing and threw them on the deck to dry. I was now swimming in jeans and she was in jeans and a spaghetti-strap tank top. "This is probably against hotel policy you know. Please can we go in? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease."

She bit her lip in thought. "Only if..." She paused. "You let me and the girls take you out for a makeover. You have to do everything we say."

"Can I just-"