NOTE: I REVISED BEFORE YOU GO, SO THERE WILL BE SOME MISINFORMATION IN THIS ONE REGARDING LEON & ELIZA'S RELATIONSHIP. I WILL FIX IT SOON, THOUGH!
* I would HIGHLY recommend reading BEFORE YOU GO and THE ONE YOU FIGHT FOR before you read this novel...
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Aria
"So you're not trying to seduce Aria and get in her pants?" Scarlett asks.
Leo releases a frustrated sigh. "For the last time, Scarlett," he replies, exasperation filling his voice. "I didn't even know who Aria was until about a week ago, okay? I'm not trying to get in her pants or anything like that. We've just become good friends."
From where I'm standing, I can see half of Scarlett's face and the back of Leo's head, and I watch as Scarlett raises a sculpted eyebrow. "With all this technology, how am I supposed to believe that you had no idea who Aria Madden was?"
Leo extracts his flip-phone from his pocket and shakes it in front of Scarlett's face. "This is why. I'm absent when it comes to social media and I've never cared much about the news or anything like that. For the love of God, Scarlett. I know men get a bad rap for befriending women but cut me some slack. I'm definitely not one of those men. I swear, I'm not trying to take advantage of Aria. She's become a good friend. That's it, that's all."
Those words sting a little, but I shove that feeling aside. Things are...complicated between Leo and I at the moment. I think we're both having difficulty figuring out where we stand.
For the past five minutes, I've been eavesdropping on the two of them. Because of our age difference, I think Scarlett has always felt the need to protect me in some respect. I knew, the second she agreed to stay and make soap with me, Leon, Tenille, and Eliza, that her motives were something much deeper than risking getting a chemical burn from the lye. And, as I'm watching the scene before me unfold, I know I was right. Scarlett was right – I am a shit liar. She clearly knew I had feelings for someone, and she definitely intended for this period of questioning to happen.
While I do feel bad for Leo – Scarlett's personality can be as fiery as her red hair – it warms my heart to know someone, other than my family, cares about me enough to make sure I'm not falling for the wrong guy.
"Okay," Scarlet says, a hint of unease in her voice. She points at Leo. "Don't think you're getting off this easily, though, Leo. I'm watching you and I will definitely inform Lauren about this friendship." She gets to her feet, brushing the nonexistent dust from the thighs of her jeans. She then reaches down to pick up her small bag of lavender soap. The majority of them are deformed and have chunks of lavender in them, but Eliza, who was brave enough to test one, told Scarlett that they were fine. "Anway," she continues. "I'm going to get going. I actually, um, had a lot more fun than I thought I would. It was nice meeting all of you."
Leo, although he seems very uncomfortable with the concept of a goodbye hug, stands up and hugs Scarlett. I almost laugh at the comical look of shock on Scarlett's face, but I bite my lip. If they hear me, they're going to know I was listening in on their conversation. Speaking of listening in on their conversation, I quickly turn around and rush back to the kitchen, making myself look busy.
