Falling for Dad's Best Friend

by Scott, Gigi

  Leo is my brother Max’s best friend, and I’ve known him since I was eight. He’s even more of a big brother to me than Max is because he’s a few months older than Max, who’s two years older than me, and he’s taller. In school, no one dares to bully me or Max because Leo will for sure kick their ass. The three of us used to play board games, watch DVD, or just listen to the songs together, until Max started college and Leo got his morning job at the gym two years ago. Since then, he only comes to our house sometimes in the summer when Leo is home.

  But it doesn’t mean I don’t get to see him often. I go to Domino’s at least twice a week not because I love their pizza—I would rather have fries and burger at the McDonald’s, but Leo works there in the afternoon and it’s really the only chance I get to see him during school days. I tell everyone I go there because of the discount I get from Leo, but pretty much everyone, including Erica, knows the real reason. The other employees seem to know it to, because they yell out if Leo is in the back, “Leo, Ruby is here,” with a teasing tone, which makes me blush although I kind of like it.

  It’s only four thirty. The party will start at five because that’s the earliest time Leo can get here. Max is working part-time at the college library and won’t be home early either. I go back to the bathroom to rearrange my hair and my dress. I’ve permed my hair about two weeks ago right before the prom, and it still looks good. I have a baby face so even though I’m already eighteen, I look twelve, at least according to Mom. But with the perm I definitely look more grown-up.

  I apply more mascara on my lashes and eye shadows to look sexier. I’m wearing a clingy, low cut dress that shows my cleavage and curves—yes, I’ve got curves despite my petite body build. Although I wear 34B, a few sizes less than Erica, my boobs do the magic when I want them to. Leo’s eyes turn stormy whenever I wear a low-cut dress or leave the top buttons of my shirt open. The other day Josh followed me to the Domino’s and I happened to wear a deep V-neck blouse. As soon as Leo saw us, his face turned red.

  “Don’t you have to go home and study for your exams?” he said to me after I had placed my order. I was quite surprised because he never worried about my study before.

  “Oh, I’ll do it tonight,” I answered nonchalantly.

  “She’ll do fine without studying,” Josh chimed in stupidly.

  His words only made Leo’s eyes darker. “Was I speaking to you?” He glared at Josh as if he wanted to kill him.

  The doorbell chimes, and Molly jumps towards it barking. To my delight, it’s Leo. “I get off work early today,” he says to me as he steps in to the house, smiling. He’s holding a bouquet of pink lilies, my favorite flowers. His eyes linger on my face then lower onto my dress. “Roo, you’re beautiful!”

  “Of course,” I say, straightening my back and thrusting my body forward so he gets a better view of my cleavage. “I’m a young woman now!”

  His eyes turn smoldering in an instant, and he gulps. When he passes me the flowers, our hands touch and I feel a tingling shooting across my gut. I put the flowers in a vase, add water, and place the vase on the dining table. Then I turn to look at him. He’s looking gorgeous: in a t-shirt that reveals his broad shoulders and chest, not to mention his beautiful biceps. He’s newly shaved and freshly perfumed. His cologne smells woody and reminds me of the cedar blocks my mom places in our closets. His sexy eyes are hazel brown, and his nose is straight.

  What I find the most attractive is his lips—they look as if they’ve been carefully sculpted to show the lines and curves. I’ve been wanting to touch and taste them for years. I wonder how they feel: they look quite firm and rough. I involuntarily lick my upper lip, and that seems to turn him on. He pulls me into his arms and gazes at me with those scorching eyes. We’re so close, my nipples nearly brushing his chest, and his body heat permeating the thin fabrics on our bodies.

  “Kiss me, Leo,” I whisper, amazed by my boldness. Erika tells us although she doesn’t refuse a kiss, she never begs for it either, and she’s been called a slut. Leo’s breath becomes heavier and I can tell he definitely wants to kiss me. With my heart throbbing, I wait impatiently for the kiss I’ve been pining for. They move closer and closer, stifling me with his hot breath. I know I’ll melt the moment they touch mine, and I close my eyes because I can’t bear the thought any longer— my whole body aches for it. I’ve been waiting for the moment for three years. Finally, I feel them—not on my lips but on my cheek. When I open my eyes in a fury, Leo smiles. “Roo, it’s hot in here. You’ve got any cold drinks?”

  I’m so mad I want to strangle him—if my hands are big enough. “Leo, remember our pinky promise?” I ask as I pour him a glass of the fruit punch.

  He doesn’t answer but his grin tells me he does. “Are you sure you still want it?”

  “Of course I do, Leo. I know you don’t have a girlfriend at the moment.”

  “I’ve never really had one,” he mumbles as he takes a gulp of the punch. “But Roo, you’re going to college soon, and you’ll meet smart guys.”

  I knew he would say that. I knew he hadn’t taken his promise seriously! Tears of humiliation and anger gush out of my eyes, and I punch him on his arm. “I don’t care for smart guys. I want you.”

  “Ouch! That hurts.” He complains as he grabs my hand, but his expression becomes tender again. He looks deeply into my eyes and wipes my tears with his thumb. “You’d better stop crying because you’re ruining your mascara,” he whispers.

  “You’re a jerk, Leo!” I jab him in his ribs and turn my zombie face away.

  He chuckles softly and pulls me back, and I feel a feathery touch on my lips. I stop crying and stand still for a second before realizing I’ve finally gotten my first kiss, and it’s from Leo. I’m about to kiss him back when I hear girls chatting outside, and following that, the doorbell chimes. I push him away and run for the bathroom, letting Leo get the door.

  Thank you for reading my book!

  I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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