Hungry for Leo: A Curvy Woman Thanksgiving Romance by C.L. Cruz

Author:C.L. Cruz [Cruz, C.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Leo

“So, who is he really?” the oldest sister asks as we pass the green bean casserole around the card table in the living room.

For what it’s worth, Gillian did a fantastic job making space for everyone. She’s resourceful and accommodating, and none of these people seem to get that. They scowl at her furniture and her decorations without once stopping to think that she did all this for them. To make them feel at home. To make sure they have an enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner.

I can feel Gillian tense beside me even though she tries to act nonchalant. “I told you. He’s my friend.”

The woman leans closer as if to tell me a secret, and asks in a loud whisper, “How much did she pay you?”

Everyone else laughs, but I cut my eyes to Gillian, who seems to be shrinking by the minute. I feel like I should say something, but I don’t know what. The moment passes as the other sister, Miranda, asks a question about a new tax policy affecting the returns next year—a subject that seems chosen solely to exclude Gillian.

But with everyone’s attention elsewhere, I take the opportunity to lean over and whisper to Gillian, “Doing okay?”

She presses her lips together in a small, fake smile that I’ve never seen her use before, and gives a jerky nod of her head. “Yup.”

There’s a knock at the door, and Miranda, who looks like a boring, miniature version of Gillian, checks her watch with a sigh. “I bet that’s Todd.”

“I’ll get it,” I volunteer quickly. Gillian looks at me with a panicked expression as I stand, but I’m just trying to be useful. I open the door and see a plain-looking guy—brown hair, brown eyes, thick glasses. But something about me stops him in his tracks.

“Wait, I know you.” Behind me, Miranda is yelling something, and one or both of her boys are screaming. But the guy in front of me is entirely unfazed. “You’re Leo Estrada.” He shakes my hand enthusiastically and backs me into the house, not releasing me. “Honey, do you know who this is? This is Leo Estrada.”

Miranda, who’s busy with the kids, says, “That’s nice honey.”

But Diane seems intrigued. “What does that mean?”

“What’s a Leo Estrada?” I hear Gillian’s dad ask gruffly.

Todd slaps a hand on my shoulder. “Only one of the city’s top chefs.”

Miranda rolls her eyes. “Todd is the editor of the Lifestyle section at the Oakwood City Times. Sometimes, I swear he thinks he’s a food critic.”

“I employ the food critics, Miranda. They work for me.” Then, turning to me, he adds, “And they love your food. We’ve reviewed every restaurant, maybe twice. Rave reviews, every time.”

I try smiling at Todd since that seems to be what he wants. “I know.”

When I finally make it back to my chair and my plate of cold food, Todd plops down in the empty chair beside me. On my other side, Gillian is quiet. Todd hasn’t even acknowledged her. But at least the attention isn’t on her, anymore.

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