Relief washed over him. He breathed deeply, looking over my shoulder again briefly. He stilled for a second, and I wondered if that was because he was looking back at Hunter. Just as quickly, he looked away and took my suitcase from me.
He opened the door for me, purposely keeping his distance as I slid inside. Ever the gentleman, he wouldn’t touch me in front of Hunter. Not so soon. Not when Hunter was hurting. Leo would wait until we were alone.
As he inserted my suitcase in the trunk, I looked to Shane behind the steering wheel. “Hi, Shane.”
He smiled caringly at me through the rear-view mirror. “Don’t be sad, Skye.”
“I’m happy, too,” I assured him. “It’s…hard to explain.”
“Give it time,” Shane responded softly. “This is still new.”
But would it ever feel old? Or would leaving always feel like a pointed blade shoved into my chest?
“Leo has not been himself,” Shane added, looking out the window now with a faraway look in his eye. “I think…I think you being here now will help him. Just as you’re transitioning, he is, too. Be patient with him.”
I nodded slowly, wanting to ask so many questions. But the trunk door slammed shut and Leo was back. He slid in next to me, keeping his distance as Shane drove out of there. While he didn’t touch me, he peered at me intently, studying me with an uncertain expression. Like Hunter, I felt so small next to Leo, but goddamn, Leo was sort of unrecognizable. His hair was cropped shorter from the sides, growing a little longer from the top. Judging by his tailored suit and how much tighter it hugged him, he looked like he’d gone up a few sizes.
Per usual, I looked completely out of place next to him. I couldn’t help the sudden laugh that flooded out of my mouth. His brows came together as he gave me a curious look. “What’s funny?”
“Why do you always look like you’ve come out of a Forbes magazine?” I asked lightly.
He didn’t smile, but his expression was lighter. “Have I overdressed?”
“Maybe I underdressed.”
A heavy emotion crossed him. “I think you look perfect.”
“Really?”
“You look like our Skye.”
NotmySkye.
OurSkye.
Never once disregarding Hunter.
I felt a wave of emotion pass over me. I swallowed hard, blinking back more tears. “Can you stop being such a gentleman and just hug me already?”
He moved quickly, wrapping his arms around me. He immediately slid me into his lap, holding me tightly as he dropped kisses all over every inch of my flesh he could get to. “Skye,” he breathed, achingly. “I missed you, sweetness.”
My heart hiccupped as I buried my face in his neck. I shut my eyes, feeling a wave of happiness crash over me. But a wave of pain crashed back. I let out an unsteady breath.
Time,Shane had said.Give it time.