Who was that? Had she come to the wrong apartment? And what was the protocol here? This wasn’t my apartment, and I didn’t think I should let people in when Lea wasn’t around. Right?
I cleared my throat and said, “Can I help you?”
“Don’t play games with me Leander, it was a long flight and I really need some R&R because Mom and Dad have been getting on my nerves lately. And why are you doing a weird deep voice?”
Okay, she definitely had the right apartment. Was that…was she Lea’s sister? I realized I didn’t know anything about Lea’s family—or that he even had one.
What if he didn’t like his family? What if this was a very unwelcome visit? Should I turn her away?
But the way she’d spoken had sounded like they were really familiar with each other…
I slid the chain off, unlocked the deadbolt and cracked the door open.
The woman pushed her sunglasses up to the top of her head and blinked dark blue eyes at me. Her gaze slowly trailed all the way down to my toes, then back to my face.
“You’re not Lea,” she noted.
“Um, no, I’m?—”
Her eyes blew wide and she yelled, “Oh mygod!! Oh my god, it’syou! You’rehim!”
She shoved the door open and swept inside, rolling her enormous suitcase behind her. After kicking the door closed and dropping her suitcase, she clasped my hands in hers.
I had no idea what was happening.
“I have beendyingto meet you.Dying. Here, come here,” she ordered, dragging me toward the couch. She sat me down then plopped beside me, never letting go of my hands. “Tell me everything. I want to know every last detail. Wait, first, tell me your name.”
I stared at her. “Um. Beau.”
“Beau!” She sighed in delight. “It’s so perfect. Ugh. You guys are already to die for. Okay.” She bounced our joined hands up and down. “What do you do, Beau? Tell me all about yourself. And don’t leave anything out. Not. A. Thing.”
My mind was a tornado of panic and confusion that was making me dizzy.
“Wow,” she said before I could get a word out. “Wow. Nowonderhe loves you. Just look at thosefreckles. Gosh, you’re gorgeous. Okay. Sorry, sorry. Now you can tell me.”
It felt like someone was squeezing my lungs right now. My heart slammed against my rib cage as I tried to find words to say. “Um…I d-do medical coding for an insurance company based out of Florida.”
“Wooow,” she gushed. “You’re like a computer whiz. That’s soneat. I never thought Lea would be into that but here we are! Where is he anyway? Lea!” she called over her shoulder.
“He’s not—he’s at work,” I said.
“Well, more time for us to get to know each other. We’re going to be family, after all.”
I froze. Family? Before I could ask her what she meant, or even what was happening, she kept talking.
“Lea hasn’t said anything about that yet but I’m positive you’re the one. He hasn’t dated anyone in so long that this must mean you’re very special. I mean, he doesn’t evenkissanyone, for heaven’s sake.” She rolled her eyes, then smiled warmly at me and squeezed my hands. “It’s such a blessing he’s found you. And you’re so sweet! I can already tell, you’re perfect for him. He really needs someone who treats him right, especially after what that asshole Lyle did.” She scowled shook her head. “I’ll rip his balls off if I ever see him again.”
I had no idea what she was talking about, but a sickening dread began to sink low in my gut. Because…no. Wait. What? Did she think?—
“Beau, dear, is the guest room still available? I could use a nap after that journey and—no offense—but this couch isn’t very comfortable.” She pressed down on one of the cushions and made a dissatisfied noise in the back of her throat.
I needed to tell her she was wrong.
I needed to call Lea.
I needed to breathe before I passed out and couldn’t do any of those things.
“It’s so, so good to finally meet you. You have no idea how worried we’ve all been about Lea. To tell you the truth, we kind of thought he was lying just to shut us up. I’m so happy you’re real,” she said, smiling broadly. She released one of my hands so she could cup my cheek, then pinched it lightly. “Anywho, is the guest room ready?”