Band Together: A Friends to Lovers Small Town Romance (Teachers' Lounge Book 2) by Piper Sheldon

Author:Piper Sheldon [Sheldon, Piper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Smartypants Romance
Published: 2024-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

MARI

Dinner was a relaxed affair consisting of tomato soup and the best grilled cheese I’d ever had. Comfort food could cure the world.

The three of us chatted easily about the happenings around town and about Cath. I updated them on the lack of updates about my car, though Cletus suspected it was likely to be totaled. I couldn’t even comprehend what that would mean for the next few months of hectic holiday scheduling. Janice gave me in-depth details about Devlin’s impressive house and studio layout. I was anxious to ask more about Leo’s former band and if there was any trouble. Poor Leo put in a thought here and there but tried to hide several yawns.

After dinner, Janice insisted he call it an early night, and the two of us quickly cleaned up the kitchen. Janice gave me a hug good night, and I yearned to linger in her arms. No matter how old you are, having a mother’s embrace soothed. Being here, I was in a home, not just sleeping in a cold, empty apartment. There wouldn’t be anybody missing me at my place. There wasn’t anybody worrying about where I was. It felt too good to be here. I could easily slip into a life that wasn’t mine. And where would that leave me after Leo wasn’t forced to be a part of my life?

Janice went to bed, and I tried to sleep but only stared at the ceiling for hours. After sleeping since Saturday, my body was restless, and my mind raced with everything Clara and Janice had told me about Leo. How could I possibly express my gratitude to him and what he’d done for me and my students? I gave up trying to sleep a little after midnight. I left the guest bedroom in search of a book in hopes it might lull me into a few minutes of sleep.

I started as I rounded into the kitchen to find Leo in his boxers, chugging a glass of water by the sink. He hadn’t noticed me yet, and I worried I might startle him, so I waited until he set the glass down to make my presence known. His hair was mussed with sleep, and his muscular, long limbs were on full display. His Adam’s apple worked as he swallowed his last sip with a sigh. Apparently, he wasn’t the only thirsty one.

I softly cleared my throat, and he spun toward me. “Didn’t mean to startle you,” I said softly, stepping closer. Janice’s room was upstairs, but the house was so still that talking any louder would have felt like shouting.

“Did I wake you?” he asked. “I’ve been accused of ‘clomping like a horse’ when I come down the stairs.”

I shook my head. “No. I was up already. I’ve hit my sleep quota for the year.”

He nodded, hand moving to his hair, making it stand up even more wildly, before dropping it again.

“Thank you for housing me,” I said. “And making sure I didn’t die.” I started counting off my fingers.

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