I knew the chat was going to be awkward after the tension about Kelly's engagement to Shane, so we quickly ended the conversation with goodnights.
I walked around the apartment, trying to get familiar with it. This was my first sleepover at a man's place, and I hoped I wouldn't ruin it .
"Done talking to your girls?" Leon's voice startled me. I hadn't realized he was behind me.
"You startled me." I lightly hit his chest when I turned and saw how close he was.
"I'm sorry. I thought you noticed me going to the restroom." he replied with a grin.
"Yeah… maybe. Don't do that again." I said like a baby.
We both laughed it off while he teased me.
The room slowly filled with the sweet aroma of whatever he was making.
"What's for dinner?" I asked as we walked towards the kitchen.
"Creamy garlic parmesan chicken with pasta and red wine," he said with a proud smile.
"That's a lot. I thought you were ordering takeout since it's just us." I replied.
"I like proper meals and I also enjoy cooking. So I thought I'd make something special for my woman."He said and kissed my forehead.
The oven beeped and he rushed to it.
"I made some garlic bread too."
"You're really covering up for the cooking skills I lack," I said with fake disappointment.
"I know you're trying to pull my leg. You love cooking and you've mentioned it a couple of times when we were texting." Leon replied.
"You don't forget anything I say." I said.
"I've been intentional about you. If I care about someone, I keep the details."
The way he looked at me when he said that, I could totally feel it in my soul.My cheeks turned red and I tried covering them, but he smirked and stepped closer.
"I enjoy seeing those red cheeks. It reminds me I have that effect on you."
He moved closer until my back hit the kitchen sink. I had nowhere else to go. I closed my eyes, thinking this might be our first kiss.
His hands rested gently on my waist. His fingers traced from my hair to my cheek and then hovered near my lips. It was intense and intimate.
Then the smell hit us, Smoke.
We both started coughing.
"Shit. The pasta!" Leon rushed over, but most of it was burnt.
"It doesn't look that bad. Still edible," I said, peeking from behind him.
"Are you sure? I can just order something," he said, disappointment heavy in his voice.
"I'm sure. We still have the bread." I gently replied with reassurance in my voice.
"I'm sorry I ruined dinner." he said calmly.
"Don't be sorry. There's always next time." I said while I hugged him from behind and he kissed my hands softly.
He ran me a bath and excused himself while I freshened up. When I came back out in my modest pajamas and nothing revealing he was setting the table.
"Sit here," he said, pulling out a chair like a gentleman.
He kissed my forehead again.
"You look and smell amazing," he added.
"If you keep complimenting me like this, I might miss dinner from being too full from your compliment." I replied.
"It's my duty to treat my lady right," he said dramatically, bowing his head.
On the table sat garlic bread, the little pasta he salvaged, leftover sauce, and wine.
"Let's dig in," I said cheerfully.
"I wanted tonight to be perfect," he said, holding my hands across the table.
"It is perfect." and truly it was.The peace I felt was perfection already.
After dinner, I tried helping with the dishes, but Leon wouldn't let me lift a thing.
"You're pampering me too much," I pouted.
"You look cute when you do that with your lips. I'm just treating you like the princess you are." he replied.
I hesitated before speaking.
"Are you always this sweet? I believe in us but I don't want to get comfortable and then you change."
Leon stopped what he was doing and looked at me seriously.
"I'm not doing this to prove that I'm a good for you. This is who I am and I'm not going to dim that so you don't think I'm too good to be true. I have fears too."
"I hate sounding like this. It's probably trauma talking." I replied.
"I'm not here to rush you," he said softly. "I'm here to heal with you."
Later, we sat on the sofa under a blanket while he read the book he bought for me. I leaned on his shoulder and wished I could freeze that moment forever.
I fell asleep and the last thing I remembered was Leon carrying me gently to his bed.
The cramps woke me Sunday morning.
My period and I hadn't packed any pads.
I stained his sheets.
Leon was sleeping beside me peacefully and respectfully. He hadn't made a single move the night before.
"You can stare all you want," he said, eyes still closed.
"I didn't know you were awake." I said.
"You woke up startled. What's wrong?" he asked.
"My period started and I didn't pack any pads."
He sat up immediately.
"I'll go get some," he said.
"You don't have to," I tried stopping.
"I want to." he said.
He left quickly.
I changed the sheets, washed up, and decided to make breakfast while waiting.
That's when his phone started buzzing, I didn't want to check it but it wouldn't stop.
The last message came in:
"You've been ignoring me. Are you tired of the relationship or have you moved on with someone already?"
My stomach tightened, I knew all about her, I knew he hadn't fully ended thing but I still chose to be here.
So why does it hurt a little?
The door opened.
Leon walked in slightly out of breath, holding a small paper bag.
"They only had one brand left. I hope it's okay."
I looked at the man who held me all night .At the man who still belonged to someone else.
I forced a small smile.
"Leon… when were you going to end it?"