by JN Welsh
“How about I clean up later when I get dressed. You finish working and get ready. We should be ready by lunch. Sound good?”
“You don’t have to do that. I normally have someone help me keep the place tidy but I didn’t want any interruptions while you were here. I could call her and see if she’s available.”
“It’s not that serious. It’ll be quicker if I do it.” Leona looked forward to meeting Luke’s sister but her arrival was a pin about to needle their blissful bubble. She didn’t want to accelerate the interruption with a cleaning service.
Luke started to caress her thighs and she sank into his body. She purred against him, but then his sister’s imminent arrival sprung to the surface. With reluctance, she readied herself to leave. As she stood up she forgot to grab hold of the cargo pants and they fell into a puddle at her feet.
Luke lunged toward her.
Leona gathered the pants and yanked them up. “No more playing. Back to work.”
She collected the discarded clothes on the floor and the blanket into her arms. “I’m going to catch a few more Z’s and then I’ll get started.”
“Try not to dream about me, Leona.”
She scoffed. “You should be so lucky.” She almost broke her hip as she gave him a runway walk exit, complete with a 360-degree spin.
* * *
Later on, with house in order, Luke found her at the kitchen counter as she scrolled through emails.
“Jane has the codes and keys to the house, but she sometimes rings the bell when I’m here. I wanted to tell you in case she lets herself in.” He tied an apron around his waist.
“Oh, okay.” Leona nodded and went on guard to expect the unexpected.
“She likes my BBQ, so I’m going to start the grill and get our lunch in order. We’ll eat outside.” Luke patted her ass before he went on his way. “I’ll leave you to it, but come out when you’re done.”
“I’ll be there in a moment.” She typed a few more emails, highlighted a few things in her calendar, and confirmed flight times for her team. They would arrive tomorrow and signify the end of this magical time she had with Luke, and though she was ready for the tour to continue, she wasn’t so sure she was ready for this to be over. She would have to sit down with Luke at some point and address the schedule for the next few days. Even though Sebastian was managing the marketing blitz for the show, Luke still had phone interviews to ramp up the Los Angeles show on Saturday.
Leona closed her laptop and was about to head outside when the doorbell rang. She called to Luke, but when she peered through the glass patio doors, he was engulfed in smoke, handling a pretty large fire in the charcoal grill.
“I probably shouldn’t interrupt that.”
Leona opened the front door and the woman who entered couldn’t be mistaken for anyone other than Luke’s sister. The similar olive skin and attractive features, complete with green eyes, greeted her. The only difference was that Jane’s eyes shined green without a hint of another color. Jane dressed in a flowing, black, knee-length skirt and pink top. Her dark, loose curls were cut in an asymmetrical style.
“Hello—”
“Hi, Leona. I’m Jane, Luke’s sister.” The woman’s friendliness was contagious.
“Yes. Nice to meet you, Jane.” Leona extended her hand. “Please, call me Leo.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” Jane bypassed her hand and embraced her. “We’re a hugging family.”
Leona was taken aback by the greeting, but returned a lighter version of Jane’s hug.
A woman with waist-long blond hair glided in after Jane, but before Leona could address her, two little ones ran into the house from behind Jane.
“Uncle Luke,” the children shouted.
Leona was surprised to see children. Luke had mentioned that Jane was coming. He hadn’t mentioned anything about kids or this other woman.
“Those are my children, Emily and Ryan. Is my brother grilling already? He knows how I like my BBQ.” Jane then presented the other woman. “This is my friend Ariel.”
Ariel was dressed casually in cut-off jean shorts and a light blue tee shirt. When songs mentioned California girls they meant Ariel.
“Nice to meet you, Ariel.” Leona extended her hand.
Ariel’s greeting was less warm than Jane’s, but still pleasant. “You, too.” They shook hands.
“Luke’s out back.” Leona smelled the faint scent of charcoal and walked with Jane and Ariel into the house.
Jane evaluated her for a moment. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Luke.”
Leona frowned. “Is it awful?”
Jane laughed. “Quite the contrary. He’s pleased with the tour.”
“Good. Our team works really hard to create an awesome fan experience with Luke.” Leona caught Jane’s smile.
“He also said you would start talking about work if I mentioned the tour.”
Leona couldn’t help it. She loved her job. “I guess I can get into work pretty easily.”
“I’m similar, so no worries.” Jane dropped her bag on the kitchen counter and they advanced to the patio.
“Oh yeah?” Jane sure knew a lot about her. Leona, however, was at a disadvantage. “What do you do, Jane?”
“I’m a vintner. We own a family vineyard in Santa Monica.”
Leona was intrigued. “Really? That’s hard work.”
“It’s a lot of hard work, but I love it. Luke brought a few cases back with him when he visited us last week. You may have already had some.”
The night she’d arrived, Luke had shared a bottle with her. “Yes, we had a Chianti. That was yours?”
“Oh wow. He pulled out the big guns for you.”
Leona blushed. “The wine was excellent.”
The full aroma of charcoal smoke choked them as they congregated outside.
“Hey.” Luke stood under a canopy, slicing avocado into a salad bowl. “I was wondering what was taking you so long. Your rug rats are tearing up the place.”
Jane pushed her brother playfully before kissing his cheek.
Leona hadn’t been out to the patio and on this sunny, clear day, the cozy patio was a perfect outdoor living space.
Luke dipped into a camouflaged fridge to get something out. It was stocked with food and drinks.
Leona was still awed by the beauty of his property. A large grass area, where the kids played, sat in the distance between the pool and the patio. The pool was protected to keep young children from falling in and appeared quite unused. Luke loved the ocean and most likely preferred to be out on the waves.
“You look great, Ariel.” Luke kissed the woman on the cheek. “Traveling is having a very nice effect on you.”
“Hi, handsome. That’s what good Aegean Sea air will do for you, but I’m glad to be back for a bit before I head to Ibiza.” Ariel swung her hair away from the fire and gave Luke a friendly hug.
Leona did a double take at Ariel’s words. When the woman arrived with Luke’s sister, Leona assumed she was Jane’s friend. Intrigued by Ariel’s interaction with Luke, Leona wondered how Luke and Ariel had come to be friends. Will he and I be friends after this? Will he let me be his friend outside the bedroom?
The kids came running up onto the patio.
“Slow down. Uncle Luke is cooking, so be careful.” Jane leashed Ryan by his navy and white striped shirt. The material ricocheted the little boy into a stationary position. Once he was still, Jane let him go.
Emily and Ryan stayed close to their mother, curious about the new person to the group.
“This is Leo, Uncle Luke’s friend. You guys want to say hello?”
“Hi.” The two children spoke in unison.
The weight of Luke’s evaluation was heavy as he watched their interaction from his cooking station.
Leona liked kids ev
en though she wasn’t around many. “Hi, guys. Emily and Ryan, right?”
They nodded.
“How old are you, Emily?” Leona asked.
Emily played with one of the attached flowers on her shirt. “Seven.”
“And you, Ryan, how old are you?”
Ryan showed Leona five fingers.
“How does she know my name, Mommy?” Ryan asked Jane.
“Ask her.” Jane encouraged her son.
“How do you know my name?” Ryan blinked multiple times from the sun and also from the dark brown strands that fell into his face.
Leona moved the hair from his brows. “Well, your mom told me.”
Ryan came over to Leona’s side and mumbled something low and indecipherable.
“I’m sorry, Ryan, I can’t hear you?” Leona leaned in closer to the little boy.
“You’re pretty.” He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.
Leona’s heart melted. “Thank you, Ryan. You’re so sweet.”
Luke had a touch of a smile on his lips.
“He’s quite the flirt, Leo.” Jane laughed and pinched her son’s cheek.
“I see.” Leona raised her eyebrows. “Good luck. When he gets older, the girls will be calling your house nonstop.”
They all laughed.
“Are you and Uncle Luke boyfriend and girlfriend, like Mommy says?” Emily asked as she took Leona’s hand.
Both Leona and Luke focused on Jane.
“Em.” Jane’s cheeks reddened. “My apologies, Leo.”
Luke’s shoulders shook with mirth.
Leona’s cheeks flushed with mortification. “She’s just curious. Right, Emily?”
The little girl nodded. “Are you boyfriend girlfriend?”
Ryan giggled at his sister’s question.
“Your uncle and I are work friends.” Leona’s eyes called to Luke’s for aid.
Just like a child, one answer spawned additional questions. “Do you kiss him like Aunt Ivy?” Emily was relentless.
Ryan frowned. “Aunt Ivy was a ‘meanie.’”
The tension in the air thickened immediately.
“That’s enough, Em.” Jane’s tone blocked the next question. “My kids watch a little too much TV and forget their manners sometimes.” She directed the last part of her phrase to the kids.
Leona could feel Luke’s stress level from where she was. She didn’t know what she and Luke were, much less how to explain it to the young girl. She also hadn’t prepared herself for the possibility of Luke’s family members conveying their experiences with Ivy.
Luke sighed. “Come here, Em.” Emily skipped to his side.
“Leona is very nice. So be nice to her and no more questions about boyfriend, girlfriend, okay?”
“Yes, Uncle Luke.” Emily lowered her eyes to once again toy with the flower on her clothing.
Luke bent down to kiss her forehead and sent her back to Jane.
“So, Ariel, what do you do?” Leona asked in an effort to learn more about their family friend.
Ariel rubbernecked at the question. “I’m a chanteuse and songwriter.”
Leona noticed Luke and Jane smiling at Ariel’s short and mysterious answer. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“You may be familiar with my vocal signature.” Less talkative than Jane, Ariel didn’t elaborate much.
Leona cocked her head at Ariel’s savant-type responses.
“Let’s eat,” came Luke’s well-timed interruption.
Leona was hungry, so the thought of eating was more attractive than asking questions, but Ariel was a mystery.
They moved out of the sun to the dining table. The kids sat in chairs that were way too big for them and Jane fixed them each a hot dog with corn and salad.
Leona decorated her plate with chicken, sausage, corn on the cob, and salad. Those in her company had healthy appetites, as well, and piled their plates with food. They ate in silence for a bit and chatted about the kids and Ariel’s trip.
Leona chewed her sausage, ate a little salad, and drank some of the beer Luke had given to her.
“Isn’t it gorgeous here, Leo?” Jane lugged her chair into the sun and let it kiss her face.
“Yes, you can lose time. I’ve always liked being by the water.”
“Water is like the lifeblood of the elements and most powerful to the creatures of earth,” Ariel declared.
Leona felt the quizzical expression form on her face. What the hell is she talking about?
Jane and Luke exchanged glances, and then busted out laughing.
Ariel smiled at them both.
“Leo, Ariel has a very strange sense of humor. She tries out her lyrics on us to see if it hits a nerve,” Jane said. “She’s kind of quiet but she comes out with these random verses every so often.”
“Oh.” Leona relaxed, thankful it wasn’t just her and happy to share an inside joke with the trio.
The kids finished eating and were back to playing on the grass.
“Not too much running around, guys. You just ate,” Jane yelled as Ryan and Emily headed for the open area.
“I’m going to get some tea and warm up. I assume we are going to start soon?” Ariel’s announcement was not only abrupt but also perplexing.
Warming up for what?
“Yeah. Don’t worry about that. I got it,” Luke said as Ariel picked up her plate.
Ariel complied and went inside to fix her tea.
Ariel’s comfort in Luke’s home made her slightly envious. Leona and Luke’s relationship was changing, evolving. They were lovers, her soreness could testify to that all day in court. However, she wondered if she’d ever share that level of friendship with him. And where the hell is she going?
Before Leona had a chance to ask, Jane touched her arm. “Leo, would you mind keeping an eye on the kids while Luke and I clean up?”
“Well, I can help, too.”
Jane put her hand on her arm. “Oh no. You are a guest here. I don’t trust them enough to not disappear if left unattended. Luke and I will take care of the mess.”
“Are you sure? It’s no problem.” She wanted to do her part.
“You are helping, Leona. Enjoy that good ocean air.” Luke collected the plates for the trash.
“Yes, relax.” Jane echoed his sentiment.
As Luke and Jane cleaned up, Leona traipsed down to where the kids were. They were playing a game of tag, so she joined them. Leona suggested “walk tag” for a little bit since they’d recently eaten. When the kids were bored with “walk tag,” Leona offered them a walk on the beach.
“We have to hold hands, right?” Emily grabbed Leona’s fingers in her small hands.
“Yes. That way we can stay together.”
Leona had Ryan on one side and Emily on the other. Sinking their toes into the sand, the kids briefly let her hand go to pick up seashells. She was impressed by how well they behaved.
Emily brought Leona a small clam-shaped seashell. The shell’s light color had an iridescent shimmer.
“Wow, that’s an amazing one. I can make you a necklace or a bracelet with this one.” Leona’s closet craft skills made an appearance every so often.
“Yes, please, Leo.” Emily bounced like a pogo stick as did her dark curly locks. She was a cute kid with green eyes like her mom. Her skin was fairer which Leona assumed was probably from her dad’s side.
“I want one.” Ryan tugged Leona’s arm.
“Then let’s find you one.” She pointed and sent Ryan to find a shell he liked.
Being with Luke and his sister’s kids made her crave a family of her own.
Mama Sable would love to hear that.
As they returned to the house, Leona shook her head. She needed to slow her roll.
* * *
&nb
sp; Jane and Luke regarded Leona returning hand in hand with Emily and Ryan.
“She’s great with them,” Jane said.
“Yeah. They like her, too.”
“Luke? Have you ever seen Emily or Ryan hold anyone’s hand for that long? You know my kids and their hyperactive tendencies.”
Luke chortled. “I guess not.”
“Have you given any thought to how this is going to end?”
Luke hadn’t thought about ending anything. Since Leona had arrived in San Francisco, his feelings had accelerated more than he’d expected. Sure, fucking her brains out had been top of mind, but he could really talk to her, and she demonstrated time and again that she was in tune with him, physically and emotionally.
Luke hadn’t given Jane all the details about why Leona was staying with him, but he didn’t have to. “Not really, no.”
“Well, figure it out before someone gets hurt. I like her and so do my kids, which is more than I could ever say for you know who.” Jane pursed her lips.
Luke shifted from one foot to the other at the thought of Ivy. There was no love lost between his ex and his family. The last thing he had ever wanted was for anyone to hurt them.
“It’s not my intention to hurt Leona.”
“I wasn’t talking about her.” Jane snickered. “I’m talking about you. You’re falling in love with her. You can’t take your eyes off of her and it’s not just about getting your rocks off, brother dear.”
He didn’t deny it. How could he? He met his sister’s knowing gaze.
Jane tilted her head. “I didn’t get two kids through immaculate conception.”
“Ugh. I don’t need that visual, Jane.”
Emily ran ahead of Leona and Ryan. “Leo’s gonna make me a necklace,” she announced, showing off her shell.
“And a bracelet for me.” Ryan shadowed his sister.
Leona stood with her hands on her hips. “They’re excited. Can you tell?”
“Great, guys,” Jane cheered.
“We should go inside. We have work to do,” Luke said.
“What work?” Leona followed him inside.
“You’ll see.”
She touched his arm to stop him. “Hey, I need a few things to make the kids their necklace and bracelet. I’d like to give it to them before they go. If I tell you, can you find them for me?”
