An Exceptional Twist (40 page)

“Lucky me,” he grumbled, smiling as he
looked at the ground. “So what’s on the agenda for the
evening?”

“Honestly, I don't have anything planned,
but I’d love to go to the movies sometime, if you’re up for
it.”

“I’ve spent so much time at the office the
past few years. I don’t normally get to see movies in the theater,
so that sounds good to me. It’s a date.” Catching what he said,
Stefen corrected himself, “Well, you know what I mean. Do you wanna
grab some theater food for dinner tonight?” Playfulness filled his
eyes.

Leah grimaced. “Rubber hot
dogs, greasy popcorn, and chips with canned nacho cheese? Sure, why
not?” She laughed, pointing her finger at him. “But you promised me
last time,
my
treat.”

A smug smile appeared on her mouth as she
walked ahead of him.

Huffing, Stefen agreed, “Fine, but are we
going to do that every time we go out?”

“Probably,” she said lightly. “But don’t
worry. I have a great memory. I can keep track.” Glancing up the
stairs, she wondered, “Am I staying in the same room as last
time?”

“Abby said you can either stay in that room
or in theirs, since she’s redecorating the one downstairs.”

Puckering her lips, she shook her head
quickly. “I don't think I could sleep in Abby and Caleb's love
nest. I'll pick the one next to yours.”

Stefen folded in, half-laughing, “At least
you don't have to hear the happy newlyweds.”

“Ahhh...” She covered her ears. “La la la la
la, I don't need to hear that, either.” Keeping her ears plugged,
she strutted up the stairs to go change.

He laughed, shaking his head as he headed in
the opposite direction.

“That was by far one of the best movies I’ve
ever seen. It was unbelievable!” The excitement vibrating off of
Leah was contagious as they entered the house.

Closing the door behind them, he directed
her toward the couch. “I have to agree. There are only a handful of
movies I enjoy that have sequels, but I can’t wait for the next
one. We should go when it comes out.” He practically froze once the
words were out.

Wow, how desperate am I? That flick doesn’t
come out until next summer, and I’m already trying to get Leah to
commit the date to me.

Unbuckling the strap of her shoes, she took
her platinum-colored heels off. Stefen was a shoe man, for sure. He
loved that she wore high-heels when they went out, even paired with
jeans and a simple blouse like she’d done tonight. She had
impeccable taste in footwear.

“I would love to.” She smiled. “I don’t have
a lot of movie going friends. Abby prefers to read or watch an
older movie at home.”

“Really? Caleb and I used to go to the
movies all the time. Before he married Rene, that is.” He took a
chance and patted his lap for her to put her feet there.

Without hesitation, she brought her legs up
onto the couch and placed her feet in his hands. “I keep forgetting
you were around through that whole thing.”

He began to rub her surprisingly soft heels.
“Yeah, I was the one that told him he couldn’t get her in the first
place.” Shaking his head, he figured he’d let her in on his account
of what happened. “Caleb and I were quite the team back then. Total
bastards. We tried to sleep our way through the entire female
population on our college campus.

“As a challenge, we’d actually pick each
other’s next lay, selecting the more unattainable girls. Rene was
the last girl I got to pick for Caleb. It took a lot of schmoozing,
but not only did he get the girl, but she changed him,” he paused
for dramatic effect, “and then he married her. Several years later,
she had Madison.”

He gulped, his eyes going red. “When she
died from cervical cancer a year later, I didn’t think Caleb would
survive. Watching him go through absolute desolation and knowing
Madison would grow up without a mother was one of the most horrific
experiences I’ve ever gone through. You really have no idea what a
godsend Abby was.”

He continued to rub the sole of her foot,
even though she’d tensed for a moment as he spoke. Their friendship
was extremely important to him, and he didn’t want to hold anything
back from her.

Leah bit the inside of her cheek. “Abby told
me, but hearing you say it just breaks my heart even more. You were
there. You saw everything. Watching people we’re close to in so
much pain is worse than knowing someone you love is gone.” She
looked down at her lap and ran her palm along her thigh. “I watched
my mother lose her husband, but I was so withdrawn into my own
pain, it wasn’t until later when I realized how awful it was for
her.”

“I’m sorry.” Stefen and his father didn’t
have the tightest bond, but he couldn’t imagine the loss he’d feel
when his dad passed away someday. To have it happen when she was so
young was unimaginable.

Laying down further on the couch, she looked
up at the ceiling. “It was a long time ago. Dani was affected the
most. But as a result, I think we’ve all grown. We appreciate every
moment now.”

Once again, Leah caught him off-guard. She
could be so wise sometimes. That was rare for someone her age. He
was blessed to have her in his life, and would never forget that
fact.

Although they were having a serious
conversation, the slightest moan slipped out of Leah’s mouth as
Stefen continued to massage her soft feet.

Suddenly, her eyes widened before she pulled
her feet away, and he knew—they’d better get off of this couch, or
he was going to take their ‘friendship’ to another level.

He couldn’t go back there. He’d ruin
everything.

Stretching his arms above his head, he lied,
“Well I’m beat. Do you mind if I head up?”

Her eyes darted all around the room as she
faked a yawn. “Sure. I’m tired, too.”

No wonder she wouldn’t lie to Abby. She was
terrible at it.

Good to know.

Gathering her toiletries and sleepwear, Leah
started to open the bathroom door when she heard the shower turn
on.

Oh, man
. Stefen didn’t lock the door.

A moment sooner, and she could’ve gotten an
eyeful. Not that she would’ve minded. He had an amazing body, even
after these weeks away from his workouts. He was one of those guys
that would always look amazing.

She backed up into the
bedroom and quietly closed the door.
Ben
, she reminded herself.
Safe Ben
.

Then a thought hit her as she turned to lean
against the closed door.

Why did she think Ben was so safe? Because
he wasn’t around, and it was just nice to say that she was with
someone? In all honesty, she wasn’t feeling any real connection to
him, no matter how hard she tried.

Those thoughts would have to wait until
later. Right now, all she wanted to do was take a shower.

Walking into Caleb and Abby's bathroom, she
tried not to think about what Stefen had said earlier about the
sounds he heard coming from their room. After her shower, she went
through her nightly routine, slipping on pajama shorts and a tank
top. She brushed her teeth, then headed to her room.

Passing by Stefen’s closed door, she heard,
“Good night, Leah. Sweet dreams.”

With you in the next room,
I’m sure my dreams will be very sweet.
“You, too.”

She was suddenly remembering why Abby didn’t
want to leave him alone. Apparently, he’d started having nightmares
again this past week, after he’d talked to his father about the
case.

She knocked on his door.

“Come in,” he said quietly.

The door pushed open, and she took in the
sight of him lying in bed, no shirt and his hands behind his head.
The scar that had been so red and angry before was beginning to
heal nicely. But she knew he was self-conscious about it, so she
diverted her eyes back to his face.

“Let me know if you need anything. No matter
what time.” She shifted the clothes draped over her arm.

He visibly shut down. “Thanks, I will. Good
night again.” He pulled the sheet up to cover his shoulder.

She could tell he didn’t want her to worry.
It was difficult, seeing him so self-conscious. He had no control
over this. It was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Good night.” She closed the door and put
her hand over her pounding heart. No matter what he thought, he
could still set her skin on fire. There was so much more depth to
him now. It wasn’t just about his looks.

But was it about that before?

Too much to think about right now.

Swallowing hard, she made her way to bed and
crawled under the covers. After hours of tossing and turning,
thinking about Stefen and the fact that he was sleeping in the next
bedroom, she finally settled into bed. Allowing herself to
fantasize about a future she dreamed would be possible. Because she
wanted Stefen, and it would never work.

He was a different now, but she was afraid
of ruining their close friendship. She loved him and could no
longer imagine him not being here.

No. Dating wasn’t worth it. She could lose
him forever.

Unsure of what the future held, she finally
drifted off.

Jarred out of her sleep, Leah heard Stefen
yelling. She ran through the adjoining bathroom straight into his
room.

He was shouting, “Leave
her alone! She has nothing to do with this!” Then the loudest shout
of all, “
Noooooo
!” He was still asleep, but he sounded so desperate and lost
as he thrashed around in bed.

She held her hand to her heart, feeling it
pounding under her palm. Her heart broke for him.

What do I do?

Stepping closer, she reached down and
caressed his sweat-streaked face carefully between his movements.
She attempted to wake him as he continued to scream, tossing and
turning around the bed before he took a swing, nearly punching her
in the face.

She jumped back, realizing she’d have to
approach this differently. Scared shitless, she stood at the foot
of the bed as he swung his arms in the air.

Finally, she shouted, “Stefen, it’s me Leah!
You’re having a nightmare!”

Sitting up, he bellowed,
“
Leave her aloooone
!”

Oh crap, what if he attacks me in his
sleep?

Moving closer to the
doorframe, she prepared to make a run for it, screeching one more
time,
“Stefen! Wake! Up!”

His eyes snapped open, and he blinked hard
several times, trying to get his bearings.

Leah stood timidly in the doorway. “Are you
okay?” she panted, still frightened by what just happened.

Disbelief blanketed his face as he stared
blankly in her direction. “Leah. You're safe. I’m sorry. They can’t
hurt you. I won’t let them. I’m here. I’ll keep you safe.” The
desperation in his tone concerned her.