Part 5 (1/2)

”Talented, I tell ya.”

”Well, you know, I'm the next Julia Child.” Lucky laughed and threw her head back. ”Next thing you know I'll be on Chopped or Top Chef.”

”You can come cook for me anytime.”

”Unfortunately, Lucky has a job, so she won't be able to cook for you anytime soon.” I interrupted, snarky. Lucky looked at me in surprise with a frown on her face and Leo just smiled at me with his boy-is-he-gone look.

”Are you single, Leo?” Lucky turned away from me and smiled at Leo once again, and I knew my face reflected my anger and jealousy. Was Lucky interested in Leo? Was that why she was confused? Was she developing feelings for Leo? I knew it was an irrational thought and that they had just met, but maybe she had felt an instant spark? They certainly seemed to be getting along well together-too well. I was not happy about their camaraderie and was seriously considering not hiring Leo as her bodyguard anymore. I wanted someone to be there to protect her, but not someone she may fall for. I trusted Leo with my life, he had always been a good friend, but why would I put temptation in his way? Lucky was a beautiful, vibrant woman and I knew there was no way that Leo was immune to that. I watched her as she spoke, her face was animated and glowing, and even her crazy curls weren't enough to detract anyone from her charm. There was a bustle of energy and an innate joy that surrounded Lucky. It was what had attracted me to her back when I first started going into Lou's Diner. Her energy was captivating, and you couldn't help but be swept away by her charm.

I remembered one Friday night when I had taken a particularly b.i.t.c.hy girl to dinner, and she had complained about there only being two tomato slices in her salad. Lucky had smiled widely and asked her how many more tomatoes she wanted, listing the different types available. ”We have Heirloom, Roma, Cherry, and Pear. Which ones would you like more of?” And then she had turned to me and winked-a s.e.xy, innocent, knowing wink and I couldn't stop myself from grinning back at her. Something my date had not appreciated. I laughed at the memory.

”I didn't know you found my dating life so amusing.” Leo's voice interrupted my flashback and I saw the concern in his eyes.

”Hey, you know. An ugly guy like you has it hard.”

”Well, you know.” He shrugged his shoulders and we laughed. Leonardo had always been the guy who had women hanging on to him wherever we went. It didn't hurt that he was handsome and well-built. It seemed that women had a thing for strong men. Even when he was a doorman at a club, he had more women outside in the streets flirting with him than in the bar.

”Do you have any friends you could hook me up with, Lucky?” He smiled at her easily and I felt my breath release slowly, and some of my pent up tension disappeared.

”My best friend, Leeza, would love you.” She smiled and then looked at me with a clouded look.

I tried to make eye contact with her and she looked down. Something was still wrong. I could sense it. Was Leeza the one she had been on the phone with? What was going on? A dull ache filled my heart as I wondered if Lucky and I would ever fully be on the same page. I didn't want to go through these feelings of panic and worry anymore. I didn't want my head to pound constantly in confusion and concern, and I didn't want to drive myself crazy every time something felt off. I wanted Lucky to come to me when she was worried or upset. I took another deep breath as I knew I was getting upset.

”So any dessert, Lucky?” Leo licked his lips and leaned towards her. ”After that delicious meal, I'm feeling like some brownies.”

”Are you sure you want to ruin your perfect body?” She c.o.c.ked her head and surveyed him. ”How will you get all the girls if you stuff your face with brownies?”

”That's why he spends so many hours in the gym,” I interjected with a smile. ”If I spent five hours a day, I'd be buff as well.”

”Now you're only half as buff.” Leo grinned at me, not sensing the tension between Lucky and me. Or if he was sensing it, he was being very careful not to make it worse.

”Let me go and see what we have for dessert.” Lucky gave me a hooded look and jumped up.

”I'll help you check.” I jumped up behind her and followed her to the kitchen.

”What's going on? Did you speak to Leeza?”

”How did you know?” She looked at me in shock. ”Are you tapping my phone?”

”What?” My jaw dropped. ”Am I tapping your phone? What sort of question is that?”

”How did you know Leeza contacted me?”

”I didn't know. I was just guessing.” I looked at her in confusion. ”Why do you think I'm tapping your phone?”

”Because you always seem to know what's going on, and I think Leeza was trying to tell me that you've been stalking me.”

”What?” I laughed. ”What are you talking about?”

”Leeza called me and said that she was worried.” Lucky's brown eyes were huge and accusing. ”I don't really think you've been stalking me or anything. But you know, I couldn't help but be worried ...” Her voice trailed off.

”Worried about what?” I frowned, fearing the worst. Did Leeza think we were moving too fast? Was she going to try and convince Lucky to leave me?

”I'm not sure exactly. She had a bad connection.”

”Call her back,” I commanded her angrily. ”I want to know what she's talking about.”

”I'll call her later.” Lucky turned away from me and I heard her mumble something under her breath.

”What's that?” I walked towards her and it took everything in me to not pull her towards me and ask her what was going through her mind.

”Nothing,” she sighed. ”Let's please finish dinner and talk later?”

”Fine.” I left the kitchen and walked back to join Leo at the dining room table. He sat there with an amused expression on his face and I scowled at him. ”What's so funny?”

”You're so sprung on this girl. I never imagined I'd see the day.”

”Whatever.” I sat down and gulped down the rest of my beer. ”So are you free to do the work?”

”You sure you want me to do this?” Leo frowned.

”I'm sure.”

”And you haven't talked to Lucky about this?”

”She'll say no.” I shook my head. ”I need to make sure she's protected.”

”I really think you should tell her what's going on, Zane.” He leaned forward and stared at me. ”She has a right to know.”

”Not now.” I was firm. ”You don't know her like I do. She needs to be protected and I can't do it by myself. I need you to look after her for me. You need to protect her.”

”Zane, I don't want to be dishonest.” Leo shook his head. ”I really think she's a good person. I don't want to fool her. As a bodyguard, I need the person to know they can count and depend on me.”

”You need to be her friend first. You can't tell her, understand?” My voice was low. ”Do not tell her that I've hired you to be her bodyguard. All she has to know is that we're friends.”

”I don't feel good about this, Zane.” Leonardo frowned and I could see the tension in his shoulders. I was tense, waiting for him to make a decision. He was the only one I trusted with Lucky. I had to make sure that she was protected at all times, I couldn't stand it if anything happened to her. I had to hire the best.

”I'll do it because I like her, Zane. I'll do it because you're my best friend. But I must tell you, you're going to lose her if you keep lying to her. I hope that one day soon, you'll tell Lucky what's going on. And I hope you do it before it's too late.”

Chapter 4.

Lucky I felt awful eavesdropping on Zane and Leo, but something just didn't feel right. Zane was acting crazy and possessive and I wasn't quite sure if Leo was flirting with me or just being nice. Not that I wanted him to be flirting with me seriously, of course. That would make him a really shady friend to Zane, and I would hate for his best friend to be shady, seeing as his family wasn't exactly the strongest. So I stood there and listened discreetly. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear their whole conversation. The only words I had heard were, ”Tell Lucky what's going on” and my heart started beating like crazy. And then I started to feel angry; Zane was still shutting me out. After everything that had happened with Braydon, he still didn't trust me. And I still didn't know what the stalking thing was all about. I'd been very surprised when he asked me call Leeza. But maybe it had been a trick. Maybe he was tapping her phone as well, and knew what she was doing too. Maybe he knew she couldn't answer.

I shook my head at my own thoughts. Stop being crazy, Lucky. I told myself over and over again. He's not tapping your phone, and he's certainly not tapping Leeza's phone. I felt like I was going crazy and wondered if I wasn't just plain crazy. I was crazy for all of it. I mean, really, what sane woman would up and leave college and move to another state with a guy she barely knew? But you knew him for three months, a voice whispered. Maybe you weren't dating him and maybe you weren't bosom buddies, but you got to know him. Three months is a long time. People get married after three months. You just moved for a job. Don't be so hard on yourself.

I stood there debating in my head for another couple of minutes before I realized that I still had no clue what to serve for dessert. I quickly opened the freezer and saw a frozen apple pie and some ice cream. Bingo! I pulled the pie out and preheated the oven quickly. Who could say no to apple pie and ice cream?