Broken Course (Wrecked and Ruined #3)(90)

"No. This is our house," Leo answers her with a smile that makes her shyly look away.

"Can we ride the elevator as much as we want?" She tugs on my hand as the doors open.

"Of course." Leo answers. "I’ll have to take you to the roof later. You can see half the city from up there." He reaches down and strokes her hair.

"Really?"

"Yep. Now, come on. Let’s put these bags down in your room before they break my back." She begins to giggle as he squats low to the ground, exaggerating how heavy her small backpack is.

As we walk into the apartment, Johnson greets us at the door.

"How was your trip?" he asks.

Liv only takes one eyeful of the whole scary package that is Aiden Johnson before hiding behind me.

"Liv, this is my best friend, Johnson," Leo says, introducing her. "He’s just ugly, but don’t let him scare you. He’s a nice guy."

"Hey, Liv," Johnson replies, peeking around behind me to catch a glimpse.

"Hi," she shyly tells my back.

Johnson lets out a chuckle. "Okay, well, I’ll let you guys get settled in. I’ll be in the office if you need anything. I took the liberty of tidying up the guest room for her. I put a few of Sarah’s boxes in the storage closet downstairs."

"Thanks, man," Leo answers, giving him a quick handshake before addressing Liv. "You want to see your room?"

She peeks up at him and nods quickly.

"Okay, well, it’s not much right now, but you and Sarah can decorate it however you would like."

When Leo pushes the door open, the three of us let out a gasp in unison.

"Oh my God," I exhale as I take in the sight in front of me.

Gone is the simple, conservatively decorated guest room, and in its place is every little girl’s fantasy palace. The walls have all been painted a pale purple with butterflies stenciled randomly across them. A collection of feather boas hangs in the corner and a large, white, antique dresser supports a jewelry box and colorful butterfly lamp. The bed has been covered with a princess comforter and matching sheets, complete with a toy tiara resting on the pillow.

Liv squeals and rushes over to the bed. I look to Leo for answers, but I can tell that he's just as surprised as I am. Suddenly, Johnson appears in the doorway behind us with a huge shit-eating grin.

"You did this?" Leo asks, blinking back his emotions.

"Well, no. Chris did this. I just used the company credit card to pay for it."

Leo shakes his head and gives him a handshake, which is immediately pulled in for a man hug. "Thank you," Leo chokes out. Then he steps away, allowing me enough room to squeeze in to give Johnson my own embrace.

"No problem. I figured you’d want her to have something nice."

"Jesus. Tell Chris thank you for me."

"Tell him yourself. He wants to meet her as soon as she gets settled in. Maybe dinner one night?" He smiles, and it’s not lost on me that this is the first time he has ever spoken about his boyfriend openly to Leo.

"Absolutely." Leo gives his shoulder a pat before turning back to Liv, who is currently examining the small shelf filled with books. Definitely her father’s child.

A buzz from the front door sounds and my stomach flutters nervously when I realize who's behind it.

"I’ll get that," I announce.

Leo tosses me an encouraging smile before heading over to join Liv on the floor.

I nervously smooth down my shirt. It’s just Jesse. She’s always been so sweet to me. I have nothing to be nervous about. However, the minute I open the door, I’m given a six-foot-five, green-eyed reason to be nervous.

"Hi," I say to Brett before my eyes drift down to Jesse, who’s standing in front of him.

"I’m sorry," she immediately apologizes.

"For what?" I try to pretend that I’m not about to puke up my dinner on their shoes.

"Because I wouldn’t let her come alone," Brett answers for her.

She gives me a tight smile followed by an eye roll.

"No. It’s fine," I lie. "I just appreciate you coming, Jesse. Y’all come on in."

Jesse walks in and begins looking around the apartment. "Where is she?"

"She’s in the bedroom with Leo." I nervously eye Brett.

"Oh, well, I was thinking I could meet her and just get to know her a little then talk to you and Leo about a few things you could expect and the best way to handle the million questions she is sure to have. I probably won’t be very beneficial to her tonight, but hopefully I can supply you two with some tools."

"That would be great," I sigh.

"Sarah!" Liv screams, rushing from the bedroom. She runs at a full sprint before slamming into my legs and starting to cry.

"Liv!" Leo calls, jogging behind her, slowing only when his eyes find Brett.

"I thought you left," she whimpers, holding me tight.

"No, baby. I’m not going anywhere. I just had to answer the door." I squat down in front of her as she throws her arms around my neck.

I look up to Jesse pointedly and she gives me an understanding nod.

"Hi, Liv. My name is Jesse."

Liv turns to face her, realizing for the first time that someone else is in the room.