I didn't want any more dessert. The idea of eating actually made me a little queasy. What was wrong with Leo? Was he having second thoughts about us? Why else would he leave? I glanced back down at my phone, searching for a better answer as to why he had left. Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with one. Whatever that phone call was about, it was important enough for him to leave.
I hoped it wasn't me.
For a moment, I considered getting up from the table and going to look for him. He couldn't have gotten far and he was most likely headed back to the place he was renting on the island. I set my napkin down on the table, determined to find out what was so important to Leo that he would ditch out on an important dinner like this.
“You okay, Charlotte?” Gabe asked, cutting into my thoughts. “You look worried.”
I looked up at Gabe. I had practically grown up with him since he moved in next door to my foster family. He and Bastian and been inseparable as kids and his little sister was my closest girlfriend.
“I'm fine,” I said, putting the phone back in my pocket. “Just trying to figure out why Leo left.”
“Don't worry about Leo. It's his loss for leaving.” Gabe stood from the table and moved to offer me his hand. “Besides, it's my turn for a dance.”
I wanted to chase after Leo, but I had responsibilities here. It would be noticed if Bastian's sister and assistant disappeared. I had done just as much as Bastian had to make this gala and auction happen and it would be odd for me to leave. A flashbulb went off as yet another photographer took my picture.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket. I would be able to feel if it vibrated with Leo changing his mind. I glanced one last time at the tent door and then around at the party. I couldn't leave. Not really.
I had responsibilities. Besides, Leo probably had a good reason. He always did. Leo was the most dependable person I knew. He'd helped me out more times than I could count, and I knew he had done the same for others.
One of his friends must need help, I thought to myself. Yes, that made sense. Leo was just helping someone. I didn't know if it was true or not, but it made me feel better. I remembered how he had helped me study for a test I was sure I was going to fail and I knew that I was right. Leo wouldn't leave without a good reason.
I tried to smile and be happy. Leo was probably saving the world. I could stay here and smile for the photographers and do my part to make the gala a success.
Taking Gabe's hand was easy, but I still wished it was Leo's hand instead. As a consolation prize, Gabe was an even better dancer than Leo was. As he twirled me around, I decided to have fun tonight, even if I couldn't go chase after Leo. It was really the only thing I could do.
Another camera flash went off and I knew I had made the right decision to stay.
Besides, I'd see him tomorrow. After he was done helping his friend, just as he had helped me that night...
Chapter Ten
3 Years Ago
“I'm going to fail, Leo.”
“You are not going to fail,” he promised, sitting down at the table across from me. He looked wonderfully handsome in his dress shirt and slacks. “You are going to ace th
is test and graduate with honors.”
I banged my head on the book in front of me, wishing I could just absorb the information that way. Damn Professor Blanks and his stupid final. This was the last class I needed to graduate, but due to my work schedule, I hadn't gone to very many classes. It hadn't seemed like a big problem since it was supposed to be an easy course to meet my English requirement.
Except it hadn't been that easy, and now I was paying the price. The Theory of Literature wasn't exactly something I could ingest overnight. Numbers, business, and accounting all made sense in my head, but the finer points of literature were a bit more tricky. It was so subjective that my objective brain rebelled even thinking about it.
“No, seriously, Leo- I'm never going to get this.” I banged my head again. “I'm sorry I called you. You should go on your date.”
Leo reached out and took my hand. I kept my head on my book, trying desperately to ignore the electricity running through me at his simple touch. He didn't feel that way about me, no matter how much I wished he did.
I was his friend's little sister. A friend. Nothing more. That's all I'd ever be.
My brain realized this, but my heart and body just hadn't gotten that memo yet.
“Charlotte,” he said softly. “I believe in you. You can do this. You've managed to help us set up Kindling and get all your course work done. You're amazing. Don't let this one test stop you.”
My chest squeezed hard on my heart. I wanted to believe Leo.
“I just...” I raised my head and looked at the book in front of me. It looked more like gibberish than actual words. “How am I going to learn all this in one night?”
“I'm going to help you.” Leo said it without hesitation. “I even brought energy drinks and flashcards.”