An Exceptional Twist

by Kimi Flores

  After parking, they walked side by side. Leah still bounced with excitement as they rounded the corner of an older building. Stefen read the sign hanging above the entrance: Lovebird’s Café.

  Great. Lovebirds? The place was perfect.

  He casually placed his hand on her arm, smiling warmly as he opened the door.

  She looked up at him through her eyelashes, her eyes smiling. “This was a favorite hangout back in high school. Well this and the burger joint down the street. There’s a newer, larger one in Pasadena, but this one’s my favorite. I have so many fond memories here.” Leah beamed.

  “Smells good.” His stomach growled angrily after taking in the aroma of soup, freshly baked bread, and cookies.

  Even though he knew the guy was coming, he was caught off guard when she said, “Oh, Ben’s already here.”

  Where the hell am I supposed to look?

  He stood back as Leah approached her ‘friend’. The guy had short blonde hair, blue eyes, and that all-American look about him. And he was dressed in athletic shoes, basketball shorts, and a sleeveless shirt.

  Really? He looked ready for a workout, not lunch with his girlfriend.

  That term almost took away Stefen’s appetite.

  She and the Brad Pitt wannabe embraced. Only after the guy noticed Stefen in the background did he go in for a kiss.

  Leah bashfully turned her head, his lips landing on her cheek.

  Stefen glared at him. Serves you right, asshole.

  Damn was Stefen glad he didn’t have to see her kiss another guy firsthand.

  “Hey, babe, how ya doing?”

  Stefen cringed. Babe? Already?

  He rolled his eyes, hoping that Leah didn’t catch him. He however caught her giving Ben a questioning look. Hmm, maybe they are just friends.

  She grabbed Stefen’s arm, pulling him forward. “This is my friend, Stefen, who I told you about.”

  “Yes, you do talk about him.” He gave Stefen a onceover. “Quite often. Nice to meet you, Stefen.”

  Did this prick just puff up his chest? Stefen barely contained his smirk. McDreamy was just as jealous of him.

  Good.

  “Nice to meet you too, Ben.” Stefen extended his hand, knowing that manners would go much further with Leah than a pissing contest.

  Thankfully, Ben didn’t ask about the eye patch. Which made Stefen wonder what Leah told him.

  “I'm starving, let's go order.”

  Leah started for the counter, when Ben announced, “Oh, I hope you don't mind, but I already ordered mine. I only have half an hour. A few of the interns are getting together to play some basketball.”

  Half hour? What an ass.

  Stefen looked at him, sizing him up. What the hell does Leah see in this guy?

  Ben stayed planted in his seat, while Stefen and Leah went up to the counter.

  “What's good here?” Stefen gave his full attention to Leah, standing close behind her and breathing her in.

  She played with the necklace on her neck, then smoothed down her sundress. “I've never had a bad meal here, but my favorite sandwich is the turkey, provolone, avocado and sprouts on a French roll.”

  Excitement filled her eyes as she looked up at him. The feel of her body near his was hypnotic. And a little too…obvious?

  Ah, she’s teasing Ben. She wanted him to be jealous. This would piss Stefen off to no end if she was his girl and she did this to him. But under these circumstances, he didn’t mind playing along.

  He could practically feel Ben’s eyes ripping him to shreds, but he couldn’t help placing his palm on her back. Ha, stupid fuck. If you’d come and ordered with her, my hands wouldn’t be on her.

  He leaned in further, pretending he couldn’t hear her. “Is that what you’re getting?”

  She nodded, wide eyes on his.

  Stefen looked up at the guy at the register who’d been eavesdropping. He pointed to the menu as he ordered. “We’ll take two of those, a couple bags of chips, and two iced teas.”

  “You remember everything, don’t you?” Her hand made its way onto his good shoulder.

  His arm snaked around her shoulders. “That's all you ever order unless there’s Pepsi, of course.”

  She smiled widely, definitely milking the situation.

  Stefen chuckled silently, holding his exclusive credit card high enough for Ben to see as he handed it to the cashier. He signed the receipt, then led her to the table, his hand still lingering on her lower back.

  Dr. Dipshit was glowering.

  Yeah, moron, that’s the way you treat a lady.

  Stefen smirked at him as he pulled out Leah's chair. Ben’s food was already there, and he dug in in front of them. This guy needed training in Manners one-oh-one. He didn't even get up when she got to the table.

  Once they were seated, Ben ignored him completely.

  “So did I tell you I saw Matt Heller the other day?”

  Disgusting. This guy looks like an ogre with his mouth hanging open while he chews and talks.

  Leah sat up straighter, her back stiffening. “No, you didn’t, but he’s not my favorite person.”

  “Why?” Ben asked with a huge piece of lettuce hanging out of his mouth and mayo on his lips.

  What the hell, dude? Nobody wants to see that shit.

  “I remember him showing up drunk at our graduation, and falling on the bleachers before he got kicked out. Why was he even there? Didn’t he graduate a few years before us?” She flipped her hair over her shoulder.

  Something’s off with her. What’s going on? Ben’s disgusting table manners almost overshadowed her discomfort, but Stefen didn’t miss her shifting uneasily in her chair.

  Ben shrugged. “He was going through some rough stuff at the time. It sucks that everyone only remembers that one incident when he did all these really great things.”

  Stefen raised an eyebrow, waiting to hear about these ‘great things’.

  Ben licked his fingers. “He was the best quarterback we ever had. His future was laid out in front of him, but things didn’t work out as planned.” Taking another bite, Ben tossed his sandwich onto the paper wrapper.

  Stefen couldn’t hide his grimace if he wanted to.

  Finally, Leah vocalized Stefen’s thought. “I know you looked up to him, Ben, but what great things did he do? I only know him as a heavy partier, the asshole who talked crap about my sister, and the guy that tried to get every girl he met to sleep with him, including me.”

  Ben froze. “He tried to sleep with you?”

  Leah sat back in her chair with her hands in her lap. “Yeah, at Julia Miller's party the summer after we graduated. You know, right after I saw you at the movies.” She looked at him, her expression matter-of-fact.

  Stefen felt the negative energy radiating off of her, and he wanted to know more.

  Mouth slacking, Ben’s neck bent forward, “Seriously? He knew I wanted to ask you out. Why would he do that?”

  As entertaining as it was to watch Ben get upset, Stefen was too focused on his own blood boiling and the fact that Leah was starting to get so upset. He watched as she looked down and rubbed her palms together.

  “He was so drunk. It didn't take much to throw him off of me.”

  The fuck?

  Fury ran through Stefen’s body just thinking about a guy pushing himself on Leah. She made eye contact with him and offered a small reassuring smile, letting him know that he didn’t need to worry.

  “He was on you?” Ben was finally as pissed off as Stefen felt.

  Their waitress seemed to realize she was walking into something personal, so she quickly placed their food on the table and took the plastic number with her.

  “Can we change the subject?” Leah gave an apologetic look to Stefen as she waved her hands in the air.

  Ben glimpsed over as if he’d forgotten he wasn’t alone with her. “Yeah, I'll talk to him later about it.”

  Stefen’s hands were fisted under the table. I’d love to �
�talk’ to him later, too.

  Leah took her first bite, and Stefen followed—the way a gentleman should. Although he was still pissed, he could appreciate how good this sandwich was. Smiling as she caught his eye, he could see that Leah knew what he was thinking.

  You’re right. Best sandwich I’ve ever tasted.

  “So how’s work going?” Leah turned to Ben, who was closely watching her and Stefen’s interaction.

  Pleased that her focus was back on him, Ben answered, “Long, draining hours. I can't wait until I'm done with my residency.”

  “How much longer do you have?” She dabbed her mouth.

  Stefen frowned. It was strange that she didn’t already know the answer.

  Ben stretched his legs under the table as though he was the only one there. “I just graduated from med school in June and started my residency, so I’ve got at least three years to go before I can apply for my medical license. I haven’t decided where I’m going to practice yet but,” he peered at Stefen before looking back at Leah, “that’s something we can talk about later.” Ben’s hint was obvious.

  Are you shitting me? They were planning a future already? Well, at least Ben wanted Stefen to think that.

  “Oh, that long?” The disappointment showed on her face.

  Normally, Stefen hated seeing that look, but at this moment, he was rejoicing.

  But apparently Ben’s cell was more interesting. He hadn’t even noticed her reaction when he dove for it. “I'm sorry. I've got to get going now, babe. Nice to meet you, Stefen.” He muttered the last part as he glared across the table.

  Stefen politely stood up to shake his hand again. Reluctantly, Ben stood and extended his as well.

  “You, too.” Then Stefen impassively sat back down.

  “Do you mind walking me out, Leah?” He grabbed his keys and cell off the table.

  Isn’t it the guy that’s supposed to walk the girl out? Dumbass.

  “Sure.” Leah smiled graciously, and Ben headed for the door before she even got out of her seat.

  Was she used to guys treating her like this? This bugged Stefen to no end. All women—friends, relatives, or significant others—deserved to be treated like ladies. He would have to make a point to teach her that.

  Ben opened the door for her, placing his hand on her waist.

  Well, at least he’s capable of that, Stefen thought just as Ben shot him another deadly glare.

  Or maybe that’s why he let Leah out first. He didn't want her to see him do that? Stefen didn’t dare return it. With his luck, Leah would turn and catch him.

  A minute later, Leah strolled in. Again, Stefen stood before she sat.

  Apprehensive, but with hope in her eyes, she asked, “So what did you think?”

  “About?” Talking crap about her new boyfriend wasn’t something he wanted to do, but he wouldn’t lie either.

  “Ben,” she emphasized, fiddling with her napkin. “We agreed to kinda date but not exclusively.”

  Stefen sat back in his chair. Running his fingers down his jawline, he caught her eyes following his movement. “Hmm, that's why he was such a gentleman and made sure to kiss you in front of me,” he blurted that last part without thinking.

  “What do you mean?” she asked defensively.

  “You walked in with another guy, he wanted to make sure I knew you were with him, that's all.” Stefen shrugged.

  She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’m not with him, but what is it with guys and being macho?”

  Stefen raised his eyebrow, pointing out what he thought was obvious. “That's not macho. It’s just the way guys communicate.”

  “Yeah, macho,” she giggled, and his focus dropped to her mouth.

  Those giggles were going to do him in. “So you’re not with him, but you’re dating?” Stefen wanted to gag on his own words.

  “We’re just seeing each other.” Scrunching her nose, she added, “It's complicated.”

  What a jackass. What’s complicated about a gorgeous woman wanting to be with you?

  Oh yeah—I was that same ass not that long ago.

  Tucking those thoughts away, he wanted to know more about what they were talking about earlier. “What was up with that friend he was talking about?”

  She bit her bottom lip like she wasn’t sure she should tell him. “He’s a few years older and went to school with Dani. He spread rumors about her all over school, so when I saw him years later at that party, I went up to him to tell him off. The next thing I knew, we were in a bedroom, and he was on top of me. I didn't feel like explaining it all to Ben. But I hope I never see Matt Heller again.” She shivered at whatever memory was replaying in her head.

  “Is that the whole story?” He felt like she was hiding something. Suppressing a growl, he sat back and prepared himself.

  “He was…” She paused, swallowing as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “…aggressive, but nothing happened. I don't want to talk about it. And please don’t ever bring him up to Dani. She doesn’t know about the party and doesn’t need to rehash what happened to her. And before you ask, it’s her business to tell, so I’m not going to.” Leah pointed her finger to him.

  That was my next question, she knows me well.

  “Fair enough. For today, but…” He let that sentence hang, then added, “if I ever run into him, I’m kicking his ass.” He was livid again, just thinking about it.

  It was unbelievable that any guy thought they had a right to anything a girl wasn’t willing to give. He’d found ways to manipulate women’s feelings, but he never forced himself on anyone.

  Then again, the more he thought about it, he realized he wasn’t much better.

  “Did you like the food?” Pulling him out of his negative thoughts, Leah took her last bite before wrapping the second half up.

  “Delicious.” He grinned. “Thanks for bringing me here. Are you done?” He pointed to her half-eaten sandwich.

  “Stuffed. I'll take the other half to my mom. She loves this place, too.” Leah put it in a bag the waitress had brought earlier.

  “Shall we?” Getting up, he pulled her chair out as she stood.

  “Thank you. Such a gentleman. Your Mama taught you well.” The corners of her mouth rose as she stood up.

  He chuckled. Damn right, I’m a gentleman.

  That was the one thing he was still confident about. “All of those years at prep school. I just assumed all men treated ladies that way. Guess not.” He was hinting at Ben, but she didn’t seem to catch it as she walked in front of him to the door.

  “Are you up for a little stroll down Main Street? I could show you around before we go to my mom's.”

  Although he was starting to feel a bit tired, he also wanted to see where she’d grown up. Onlookers could naturally make the assumption that they were a couple.

  “Lead the way.” He spread his arm. “I’m all yours if you don’t mind being seen with a one-eyed pirate.” Stefen opened the door for her and took the sandwich bag.

  “Stefen, pirates are ugly disgusting dirty hairy men. You are no pirate, my friend.” She patted his face on her way through the doorway, surprising him with both her words and her actions.

  He would be exhausted tomorrow.

  No pain, no gain, he told himself, threading her arm through his. He would walk to the ends of the earth with her like this.

  They’d walked around for several hours and arrived at her Mom's house right before dusk. It was fun showing Stefen all her old hangouts, but no matter how much he’d denied it, he was worn out.

  Leah got out of the van before Stefen had a chance to open her door.

  “Nice house.” He gazed at the one-story, Spanish-style home, and she noticed he’d left the eye patch in the car.

  When he wasn’t in public, he would get tired of wearing it and switch back and forth. She liked that he was comfortable enough for her to see him like that.

  “I love this house. I grew up here.” The majority of the residences in Alhambra were Sp
anish-styled, since the city was originally named after Washington Irving’s novel, The Alhambra, which was based on his travels to Spain in 1832. Like so many others in the city, Leah’s childhood home was located on long pieces of land. “My grandparents bought it back in the fifties for only twenty-thousand dollars, then gave it to my mom when she got married. They moved back to Mexico and passed away before I was born.”

  In typical fashion, her mom came charging out of the front door, practically knocking her down with a hug.

  “Mija! Two visits in a month. I love it!” Then came the loud, smacking kiss on the cheek.

  Leah stepped back, making introductions, “Hola, Mami. You remember Stefen from Abby's wedding?” Leah pointed to a weary Stefen standing behind her.

  Her mom pulled him in to get a closer look. How did older women get away with stuff like that? Leah could only imagine the reaction she would get if she pulled some random hot guy toward her, just to get a better look.

  “Huy, of course. He's so handsome, how could I forget? You danced together. Muy guapo, mi hija.” She hugged Stefen and shot Leah a look.

  Leah just shook her head. Her mom had no idea what had already gone down, but she would understand eventually that her wanna-be matchmaking skills were not going to work with them. Leah would just have to prove what good friends she and Stefen were.

  Stefen looked like he was turning blue, in need of some air.

  Leah patted her mom’s shoulder. “Okay, Mami, you're making him a little uncomfortable. You can let go now.”

  Stefen laughed, “It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Valdez.”

  “Venga, come in, dinner’s ready.” Leah’s mom motioned them inside.

  Leah rubbed his back. “You okay? You look really tired.”

  Tucking his head so only Leah could hear, he chuckled, “I’m fine, but I almost blacked out there for second.”

  Cracking up, they walked straight into the dining room where Leah introduced Elena, her niece and nephew, then turned her attention to the gentleman at the head of the table.

  “This is my mom's fiancé, Sal.”

  Stefen walked over and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Then he cocked his head, asking, “As in Congressman Salvador Ramirez?”