“Will you bring me one tomorrow? I want to try it.”
“Sure.” She wrapped her arm around his waist because he was always so warm and she was usually freezing. “I like watching you work with your clubs and stuff.”
Tugging his jacket around as much of her as he could, he hugged her to his side. “Let me get you to the car. You’re shivering.”
As they approached, the driver grinned. “Glad it’s almost Friday?”
“Uh uh. I have a stupid pageant this weekend,” Amelia admitted. “That means I won’t see Leo until Sunday.”
“Shall I take the long way to your house then?” The driver glanced at his watch. “You’re both out more than half an hour earlier than usual.”
“Thanks, Baylor.” Leo handed her through the open rear door and slid in beside her. “Let’s get cocoa to help warm you up.” When his driver slid behind the wheel, he added, “Can you remind me to put a warm blanket in the car for when Amelia is with us? The winters here remind me of Scotland and she’s freezing.”
“Will do, Leo. I’ll turn up the heat. Want me to stop for soup or something?”
“Cocoa from that place Amelia loves.”
“On the way. Let me know if you want music.”
Amelia rested her cheek on the front of Leo’s shoulder when he took off his jacket and used it to cover her.
Wrapping her arms around his back, she told him, “I’m okay, Leo. Just got chilled.” He kissed the top of her head. “You take such good care of me. No boys act like you. I love it.”
He smoothed his palm up and down her back to warm her up and her shivering slowed as the heat filled the car.
With a chuckle, she said, “Thanks, Baylor. You can turn it down before you and Leo start roasting like chickens.”
They got cocoa and chatted while Baylor drove them through one of the pretty historical districts. He timed it perfectly and pulled up to her driveway within minutes of her usual arrival.
Leo stepped out and helped her to the pavement. “Keep my jacket and bring it when we pick you up in the morning. Dress in layers in case you’re getting sick. Don’t forget to bring me a juice to try.”
Leaning up, she kissed his lips lightly. “Okay. I’ll call you after I finish my homework for history. I-I’m getting behind again in chemistry.”
“Not a problem,” he said gently. “We can fix it.”
“Will you stay on the phone tonight until I fall asleep?” He nodded. Kissing him again, she pulled away when she heard her front door open.
“Amelia! Get in the house! You need to practice your routine. The competition is in two days. There’s no time for you to be kissing boys.”
Without looking at her mother, Amelia replied, “I’m not kissing boys. I’m kissing Leo...and there’s always time for that.” One more quick kiss and she ran up the driveway, pausing to wave before disappearing inside.
When she realized her mother didn’t follow her inside, Amelia returned to the front door. Her mom stood on the stoop with her arms crossed and a terrible look on her face.
“Stop glaring at Leo, Mom.”
“I don’t want you seeing…”
“Say it all you want but Leo is my boyfriend. I do all the things you tell me whether I want to or not. Leave Leo alone. You don’t get to decide that part of my life.”
Slamming the door, her mother inhaled to start screaming.
“If you don’t stop, when I get to the pageant, I’ll stand there like a simpleton while my music plays. I’m serious, Mom. You get enough of me...Leo gets what’s left.”
Then she turned and went to her room.
An hour later, she called Leo’s house. His mother answered the phone. “Hi, Mrs. De La Cruz. It’s Amelia.”
The woman said kindly, “Hello, sweetheart. Let me get him for you.” Covering the handset, Leo’s mom yelled his name.