“That’s okay.” Leo kissed him again. “You bring out mushy feelings in me too. I hope you can make brunch with us tomorrow. Since it’s late now, it’ll probably be closer to lunch than brunch.”
“That might work out better anyway.” Aud smiled and pushed his hand slowly through Leo’s hair. “If not then, I’ll come see you as soon as I’ve got the mess cleaned up and the insurance folks have made their visit.”
“Good.” Leo ran his hands down Aud’s spine, enjoying the feel of his muscles through the shirt and flashing back to the two of them lying on the bed naked, preparing for some intense sex. His body stirred.
Aud kissed him, and the stirring thrust upward into a raging hard-on.
Leo stood it as long as he could before he stepped away from Aud. “Okay. You’d probably better go before I lie back on the hood of your car and scream for you to take me right here on the street.”
Aud laughed. “Gee, and here I was thinking along similar lines.” He gave Leo another kiss. “Okay, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He glanced at his watch. “Correction, later today.”
“Definitely.” Leo stepped away from Aud but continued to watch him as he walked around to the driver’s side and opened the door. He blew Leo a kiss as he slipped into the car. A silly grin spread over Leo’s face as he watched Aud drive away.
Even after his taillights disappeared around a turn two blocks down, Leo stood there. Do I really deserve such an understanding guy? Aud’s awesome. I don’t know how anyone could resist his hot looks and perfect personality. He’s the best guy I’ve ever gone out with.
“Why are you still standing out here?” Julie asked, coming up behind him.
Leo jumped slightly, then turned toward her. “What?”
“Aud’s gone. Tell me you didn’t just stand here and watch him drive off. That’s so sappy. It’s been a while since a guy made you sappy.”
He gestured toward the house. “Are you going back in?”
“I don’t think so.” She yawned. “I’m going to take the opportunity to head home and sleep in my own bed. I might get more rest that way.”
“You’re not saying either Felix or I snore, are you?” He was too tired to really act offended.
“Nope, didn’t say that. But with everything going on, I want to be home and feel safe for a little while.” She paused and looked at her hands in the city darkness. “That didn’t come out right, did it?”
Leo patted her arm. “Don’t worry about it coming out right or not. We both know things are unstable right now. Take the comfort you can when and where you can. I’ll stay with Felix. I wonder if my place still feels safe to him after this.”
“I think it does. This time it was just your landlord, not a robber or a rapist.” She shifted her handbag higher on her shoulder, then clamped her hand over her mouth before she shook with a yawn.
“Go on home.” He turned her toward her car, parked in front of his not far away. “Call me or Felix when you get up and we’ll figure out brunch.”
“Okay.” She fished out her keys as she walked away.
When she reached the car, she turned and hugged him. “Leo, you’re awesome. The best friend a woman or man could ask for.”
He hugged her back. “You are too. Now go home and get to sleep. You’re about to fall over.”
“Take care of Felix.” She turned away from him and got into her car.
“I will.” As he had with Aud, he stood on the curb and watched her drive away. A chill filled him as she left. He shook slightly with it by the time he turned and walked up his steps and back into the apartment.
Felix looked up at him with sleep filling his eyes. Sofi had left his lap. “I think it’s a good time for bed.”
“You’re right.” Leo turned and walked into the bedroom and retrieved his pillow and a blanket. “Go on and get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay.” Felix rose and walked toward Leo. For a second, Leo through he was about to get a hug, then Felix drooped a bit. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” Leo carried his pillow and blanket to the couch to settle in. Again he wished Aud was there to hold him until they both fell asleep. The toll of the day hit moments after he took off his glasses and stretched out on the bed. Moments later, sleep engulfed him.
24
BY THE time he arrived at his house, the insurance adjuster, a short man in a dark blue suit, was waiting for Aud. The two big sheets of plywood over the large window in his living room looked horrible to him, like a nasty adhesive bandage put across a cut on pristine skin. He wanted to rip off the wood and reveal a perfectly intact fa?ade, but he knew that wasn’t going to be the case. It didn’t help that he had to miss brunch with Leo and his friends for this.
“Mr. Sorenson?” asked the short guy in the blue suit, offering his hand
“Yes.” Aud returned the man’s handshake.