The Aristocrat

At one point, Mrs. Angelini changed the subject.

“How’s the fundraiser for Mrs. Barbosa going?” she asked me.

“I’m not sure we’re gonna hit the goal this summer. We’re debating starting anyway, but then we run the risk of leaving it incomplete.”

“What’s this?” Leo asked, looking between us.

“Felicity is trying to raise money for a local woman who fosters a few kids. Her house is very small, so Felicity thought it would be a good idea to try to help her build an addition.”

“What’s your goal?” he asked me.

“Thirty grand. We’ve raised about twenty since I started the campaign last year.”

He looked a bit confused. “Thirty grand sounds low for an addition to a house.”

“Well, it’s technically a garage renovation. The structure is already there. One of her kids has autism. So once we raise the money, two others and I are going to redo that space and have it insulated. Her foster son is Theo. It will be where he does his therapies and has some sensory equipment. Apparently, it gets too noisy in the main house, and it’s hard for him to calm down and focus. So, it’s not like a true addition, more like a glorified shed with electricity and heat.”

“That’s amazing of you to want to do that. Who’s doing the work?”

“It’s cheaper if we do it ourselves, but we’re going to have to hire out for the plumbing and electricity.”

“Who’s we exactly?” he asked.

“Well, me and a couple friends from high school.”

“But you’ve raised enough to get started?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“I would love to help while I’m here.”

“Are you handy?”

He arched a brow. “Do I give off a vibe that I wouldn’t be?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

“My father put me to work a lot on our properties. And I actually helped build a small structure in Tanzania on a volunteer mission. So yeah, I’d love to help.”

Accepting his help meant committing to spending regular time with him. That was risky, but how could I refuse?

“Well, that would be great.”

“Good, then.” He smiled. “I’d also like to contribute to the fundraiser.”

“Don’t feel obligated.”

“I don’t. I’d just like to.”

“Okay. I’ll text you the information.”

“Thank you.”

Opening my phone, I scrolled down to his name and sent him a link to the fundraising page I’d created.

Then I stood. “I’m going to go set up the cake.”

He stood from his chair. “Let me help you.”

“No. Please. Stay and finish your drink.”

After I went into the kitchen, I took the box out of the fridge and set the cake on a large, round plate. I opened the package of candles and placed them around the edges. I could hear Mrs. Angelini and Leo laughing in the dining room.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Angelini snuck up behind me. “He’s adorable,” she whispered.

“And dangerous…”

“Because he’s leaving, yes. But that doesn’t make him any less adorable.”

“I’m trying not to overthink things right now.”

“You absolutely shouldn’t.”

Blowing a breath out, I carried the cake into the dining room.

We sang “Happy Birthday” and spent the next several minutes devouring our generous slices of cake.

Leo reached his hand to the corner of my mouth at one point, causing me to flinch.

“Sorry to have startled you. You had some whipped cream on your face.”

Licking the edge of my lips, I said, “Thank you.”

Mrs. Angelini smirked. I knew what she was thinking. It was the same thing I was: I was completely screwed.

* * *

Leo

Track 9: “Shout Out to My Ex” by Little Mix

Felicity insisted on taking our dishes to the kitchen. She wouldn’t let me help, and I didn’t push the issue because I suspected she needed a breather. The intensity between us that had spiraled in the carpark today hadn’t waned in the least. I knew I made her nervous. I only hoped that was because she liked me and didn’t know what to do with those feelings. I didn’t know what to do with all of this, either.

Our kiss earlier today had knocked me on my arse. I’d replayed it every second of the afternoon. And now that I was here with her, the need for a repeat felt even more urgent than I’d anticipated.

Mrs. Angelini interrupted my thoughts. “You seem smitten with my girl.”

I stopped mid-sip. “How can you tell?”

“You haven’t taken your eyes off her.” She laughed. “I suppose I haven’t taken my eyes off you, which is how I’ve noticed.”

“I guess it’s obvious how much I fancy her.”

She smiled. “Felicity is the whole package. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. And she really has no clue just how beautiful she is.”

“That’s part of what fascinates me about her. And she’s so smart.”

“She’s also very guarded. But when she opens her heart to someone someday, I know she’ll give that person all of it.”

I nodded, and an uncomfortable tightness developed in my chest. Maybe because I knew that person wouldn’t be me. And I envied him—whoever he was.