“Hi, Leah, how are you?” Willy, the owner, asked.
“Great, Willy. You?”
“Slow at the moment. I imagine it will pick up later.”
She nodded, pulling out her card. “This here is my friend Chase. Chase, this is Willy.”
The two men shook hands.
“I’m sorry about that guy hassling you. I’d have said something, but I was busy up here,” Willy said.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got my own little protection man right here.” She paid the bill, and they were outside heading back to his car.
“He seems nice,” Chase said, getting into the car.
“Yeah, he stopped carding me after my sixth visit. I love going to this video shop. Most of the time there isn’t anyone lurking in the aisle for a date.”
Chase pulled out of the parking lot, and they made their way back to their apartment. The drive was a long one. The city was busy on a Friday night. She didn’t want to live in the city for the rest of her life. Leah liked the thought of being in the country and being able to work from home. She knew her dreams were a long way off, but she’d never give up hope.
Mitch’s car was already parked in his space when they made it back. Out of all three of them, Leah was the only one who hadn’t gotten her licence. She was not destined to be behind a machine. Mitch or Chase picked her up to drive her to school or she rode her bike. Her biggest failing was in driving a car. She wasn’t embarrassed by her failure. The only time she’d been embarrassed was when Chase and Mitch had gotten cars for their birthday when she unwrapped a bicycle. For a joke her parents had put stabilisers on the back.
Fortunately, none of her life had been hindered by her lack of a licence.
Chase parked the car, and they both got out. They keyed in the code to their building and grabbed their mail from the boxes before walking up the stairs to their apartment.
Mitch was on the phone as they entered their apartment.
“We’ll make it down in a few weeks. I know, Dad.” Mitch rolled his eyes pointing at the phone.
Leah smiled then moved toward the kitchen. Chase put the movies down by the television and walked back to her to help.
“What are we cooking this evening, chef?” he asked.
“Wait until Mitch gets off the phone.”
Chase nodded. She checked the cupboards to see what Mitch had bought from the grocery shop. When she opened the freezer and saw two tubs of chocolate ice cream she wanted to run and kiss him.
The phone was put down as she turned to face him.
“There is a big get-together in three weeks. All of our parents will be there, and they want us to come as well,” Mitch said.
“What kind of get together?” Leah asked.
“A barbeque.”
“Hell no. I’m not eating your dad’s spare ribs again, Mitch. He makes them too damn hot,” she said.
“My mom is doing the cooking, and both of yours are helping as well,” Mitch said.
Leah sighed in relief.
“What are you two doing back at the same time?”
“Chase collected me from work. He was so sweet and charming. How did your dad sound?” she asked, diverting the conversation back.
The kiss Chase had given her had really meant something. Her lips still tingled from the way he’d claimed her. She’d felt her whole body burning up from the kiss. Maybe she was going insane.
“Dad watched the news about the burglaries, and he’s worried about us. I’ve told him not to be and that we’re always watching out for each other. I’ve agreed we’d all be going to this get-together. It could be fun.” Mitch did not sound optimistic.