Waterfall Kisses (The Kisses 9)

I went to open the door when I saw Leo coming up from the beach walk with Robbie and Sam. My brow creased, thinking that he should be coming from the opposite direction than they were. Which meant that they were probably coming from the docks. Where that stupid speedboat was.

I hoped Leo was keeping his promise not to drive it.

“As much as I hate to say it, that racing boat of yours is a modern marvel,” Robbie's voice drifted up as they approached. My heart sunk a little bit, hearing his words. “Thanks for letting me look at it.”

“Any time,” Leo replied. “I won't be taking it out any time soon. However, I just found a new driver who is interested. That boat could be going for the record.”

I sighed a little in relief. He wasn't out on that death trap boat. I felt bad for even thinking he was.

“Hey, Charlotte,” Leo greeted me, a smile filling his face as they came up on the deck. Robbie and Sam exchanged knowing looks and darted inside.

He paused for a moment, glancing about before remembering that everyone already knew about us and kissed me. Kissed me good enough that if I had been wearing socks, they would have been knocked off.

It felt freeing to kiss him, knowing that everyone already knew and supported us.

“Wow,” I said, breathless from his kiss. That man knew how to use his lips in the best possible way. The kiss was short and sweet, but it still made me swoon. We were officially a couple now, especially if we were kissing in front of restaurants.

“Blech. Some of us would like to eat,” Gabe said, gently pushing past us to get to the door. “Seriously, get a room.”

I laughed, scooting closer to Leo to let Gabe pass. Gabe held the door, giving me a wink as we passed. I knew he was happy for us, even if he had to tease.

Inside, it was cool and dark. The hostess showed us to the back party room where Sam and Robbie had already joined Ava, Bastian, and Ava's father and girlfriend. Sam waved, pulling her chair up to the table and chastising Robbie for not using a napkin.

It was a small room, but it had a large window that looked out over the ocean view. Flutes of champagne were already out on the table.

“It looks like everyone's here,” Gabe remarked, picking up a glass of champagne from the table. He tapped on it to quiet the room. “Thank you all for coming. If you will join me, let us toast to Kindling Dating's newest mobile app.”

Gabe raised his glass, his eyes going over all the happy couples. Watching him take in Bastian and Ava, then Robbie and Sam, Ava's father and his date, and then Leo and I, I realized that Gabe was the odd man out. He didn't have a date. As official fairy godmother to Ava and Bastian, I was eventually going to have to remedy this.

Gabe cleared his throat, raising his glass a little higher. “Good things are coming. Cheers.”

Everyone echoed the sentiment and took a sip of champagne.

The room settled into quiet conversation. Ava and Bastian were talking animatedly with Robbie while Sam laughed at something said by Ava's father. I sipped on my champagne, leaning comfortably against Leo.

Leo wrapped his arm around my waist and rested his head on mine as we stood there, just watching the people we cared most about in the world smile and laugh over the success of the business. The phone app was going to be huge for us. The business was booming and it was all because three knuckle-headed boys found a loan and gave their idea a go.

A loud buzzing rumbled in Leo's pants pocket. He frowned, letting me go to check it. His face darkened as he hit the reject button and he stuffed it back into his pocket. He barely let it go before it began to go off again.

“Damn it,” he whispered, smashing the buttons harder this time. Something that almost looked like fear shifted across his eyes, but was gone before I could really tell. He ran his fingers through his hair. It was an unconscious gesture he only did when he was nervous.

“Everything okay?” I asked, noting the sudden tension in his shoulders.

“It's fine,” he said sharply. He smiled, taking the sting out of his tone, even if it wasn't a real smile. “It's just Toby.” He pointed to his phone, the notification light going crazy. “I need to take this. You stay here and enjoy the party.”

“Okay...” I cocked my head to the side, confused. Something wasn't right. After seeing them at the meeting together, I wondered if Toby was having trouble with gambling again. Leo kissed my cheek and hurried out the door to find a silent place to take his call.

I watched him, only c

hecking out his ass a little, as he disappeared. His strides were long and hurried, and there was a tension in his shoulders I had never seen before. There was something wrong, something that he wasn't telling me, but I wasn't sure what.

I bit my lip, wishing I could help him. He didn't have to keep things from me anymore. We were a couple now. I could help him if he would just let me.

“I'm glad you two finally got together,” Gabe said, grabbing my attention. He moved to stand next to me, sipping on his champagne. “It's good to see you both so happy.”

“Thanks,” I replied. “Now we just need to get you someone.”

Gabe laughed. “No, thank you. Someone has to be the designated bachelor. We run a dating company after all. Can't have us all falling in love. Especially if it's not through our services.”