Dani

There's a buzzing sound. No. A snore. And I'm hot. Something heavy is on top of me, I can't breathe.

I opened my eyes and blinked a few times.

I looked over and found Leo beside me, with his arms and legs wrapped around me and the sound of his soft snore in my ear.

My initial thought was to push him off, then I remembered why he was here and how he took care of me and stayed up all night to make sure I was safe and my fever didn't get any higher.

For some reason, I found myself looking at his face.

Who knew, Leo Cash snores.

I chuckled, then covered my mouth.

I looked at him again. Really looked at him and I sucked in a breath. He looked so handsome. So peaceful. But it was also the first time that I saw how tired he looked.

I shook my head. The first time I laid eyes on him at the bar, he looked so vulnerable. So lonely that it did something to my heart I can't explain, but then he opened his mouth and made me crazy.

I reached up my hand slowly, not wanting to wake him. Gently, I brushed the hair off of his face. His eyes were closed and he was still snoring softly. His lips parted softly, making me smile.

Then the smile on my face so quickly, I thought I had imagined the smile that graced my lips. In that moment, something changed. Something in me changed. Suddenly, I felt something click. Like things falling into place. Like a puzzle being solved... It was as if, it was a moment I've been waiting for, but I never knew. Not until this moment. Not until he came.

He's it.

I closed my eyes.

Oh god. He's it. The one.

I shook my head.

"You're crazy," I breathed.

You knew it from the moment you laid eyes on him, a voice inside me said.

I shook my head, wanting to deny it all.

"You knew when you saw the loneliness in his eyes when your eyes met that you wanted to know what was making his sad and you wanted to make him smile.

I shook my head, no. I wanted to slap him for being so damn arrogant.

Yes, but you also wanted to taste his lips. You loved his laugh and melted at the sight of his smile.

I shook my head, no.

Suddenly, a lone tear escaped my eye and rolled down my cheek. His eyes opened and I gasped softly.

I gasped, because in that moment, as I looked into his eyes, I realized that he's the one. The one I love.

My heart squeezed so tightly that I couldn't breathe.

How did I not realize it? How did I not see it?

"What's wrong?"

I shook my head.

"Dani, why are you crying?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Shit. Sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep, but Dani, I swear, I didn't do anything. I didn't," he rambled on in a panic, making me frown.

Wait. What? "Leo, relax. I know you didn't do anything."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Then why are you crying?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. I'm not crying."

"Dani."

"Leo, I'm fine," I said, even though my head was still reeling from what I just realized and admitted to myself. If I haven't been such a stubborn fool, I would have realized this sooner. He came to the bar every night after that night in the backroom where he came to apologize for the next couple of weeks. Every night he would ask me to dinner and every time, I said no. I don't know when exactly, but I found myself looking forward to seeing him at the bar, which is why I was so damn disappointed and annoyed that I woke up sick yesterday. I was disappointed because, I thought I won't be able to see him, which is why I was surprised to find him outside my door last night.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know," he said after a moment's pause.

I looked away and moved to get up, but he stopped me.

"Dani," he breathed.

"Leo," I breathed back.

He looked at me for a few moments then smiled. "You've got that look again," he smirked.

"Will you just stop with that whole look thing!"

"WIll you just start being honest!"

I frowned. "Fine, you want honesty? I'll give you honesty. I think you're lonely. Sad. That was my first thought when you walked through the door at Fifty's. I actually felt for you, until you opened your mouth. But after these past weeks, this whole act that you put on, is exactly that! An act. Deep down I think you're a pretty decent guy, but something happened that made you like this. I think you're hurting, by who or what, I don't know. I'm guessing it's a girl. And I'm guessing it's the reason why you treat women as objects that you pick up when you want and put down when you're bored. All of the things you're doing and how you're acting, you're using that to cover up the fact that you're hurting, which I think is a coward's way out, if you ask me. From a guy who thinks he's god's gift to women, you sure are hella scared when it comes to facing reality. Let me give you a friendly advice, since you obviously need it. Grow up, Leo. Grow up and stop hiding behind this facade." After I was done he was just looking at me with a grin on his face.

"What the hell are you smiling about?"

"That was amazing."

"What was?"

"Honesty."

"Are you serious right now?"

He shrugged.

"You seriously need to get your head checked."

"As far as I know, it's as hard as rock and works amazingly," he nodded suggestively.

"You're disgusting! Will you just get off my bed!"

He laughed then felt for my temperature.

"Good. No more fever. But I'm still ordering bed rest for today."

"Stop bossing me around."

"You love it when I do," he winked.

"What I would love is for you to get gone and leave me in peace."

He feigned hurt. "That's what I get for taking care of you all night?"

I frowned. "That's what you get for bothering me so much."

He chuckled. "Fine I'll go, but I'll be back with breakfast."

"You don't have to do that. And seriously, I just insulted you and fought with you."

"You did, and I loved it. And we didn't fight. You hurled your theories and judgements at me, and I just sat back and listened."

"Aargh. You are impossible."

"I know. And as for breakfast, I know I don't have to, but I want to."

"But–" I started to protest, but he silenced me with a quick kiss on the mouth, which caught me by surprise.

"You idiot! Why the hell did you do that?"

"It shut you up, didn't it?"

"You really are an asshole!"

He just laughed. "I'll be back, freckles."

I scowled at him.

He chuckled. "What? I happen to find your freckles sexy as fuck." This time, I glared at him.

He just laughed all the way out the door. His head popped back in a few moments later. He grinned. "By the way, I look forward to learning what other parts of your body has'em,' he winked.

I threw a pillow at him, but missed as he was too fast in closing the door behind him. I could still his laugh inside my room, and I didn't know whether to scream or laugh.

"Bye freckles!" he called out loudly. This time, I laughed.

"Oh boy," I muttered under my breath.

Leo

As I was getting out of my car to head back to Dani's place my phone suddenly rang.

Gavin.

"Hey," I answered.

There was a short pause. "Hey," he answered with uncertainty.

"Everything okay?"

"I don't know, you tell me."

"Everything's fine man."

"It sounds like it. Look wherever you are or whatever the reason is, keep it."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't even hear yourself, do you?" he chuckled. "You sounds light and happy."

I shrugged. I do? "Whatever. Listen, I gotta go, but I'll talk to you soon oh and tell Sean, I've finally gotten started on that new single."

"Ok, but wait," he started to say, but I ended the call.

I chuckled to myself. After that first night with Dani, I found myself overflowing with words that I couldn't help but to write lyrics. All of it isn't what Sean is looking for I know, but I did start on that new single I know he's gonna like, as well as the fans. I just need more inspiration to finish it. I'm finally getting my groove back and it's all thanks to Dani. I don't know what it is about her, but I just can't get enough of her and her witty remarks and fighting words whenever I get on her nerves. I guess that's why I like getting on her nerves so much.

I unlocked her door with her keys I got from the key bowl she has by the door and let myself in.

"Did you take my keys with you?" She accused right when I walked in.

I dangled her keys in my hands.

"Damn it, Leo."

"What? I told you I was coming back with breakfast."

"You can't just do that. You can't just take over my and my life like that–"

"Woah. Woah. Woah. I just got you breakfast, I'm not asking for your undying love and commitment."

"I'm glad you think this is funny."

"Freckles, will you relax."

She glared at me. "Don't call me that?"

"Whatever you say, freckles."

"Leo, seriously. Why are you doing this? I would appreciate the truth."

I sighed as I placed breakfast on the table. "I don't know okay? All I know is that I just went through something so shitty and the last things I expected coming here was meeting you."

"I don't understand."

"Look, I just know that you make me feel good. Inside and I haven't felt good in a really long time. I haven't been able to right music and yet after the first night of meeting you, I have all these words that are floating in my head and I just can't stop writing. You make me laugh and bother the hell out of me, and I like it."

I watched her frown and swallow hard.

"What was that something so shitty you went through?" She asked.

"Always with your questions."

"I like having answers," she responded.

I chuckled. "Look, you weren't completely wrong with everything you said earlier. I am hurting. I'm in love with this girl who used to be in our band years ago. She met and fell in love with this guy, who is now her husband for the second time."

"Second time?"

"They were apart for a long time and they got back together and are now happily married once again, raising their daughter together."

"I'm sorry," she said. "Is that why you came here?"

I nodded. "I got suspended from the band, because I was out of control. I figured I need some peace and this is the place I thought of."

"You know, when you actually put your guard down, you're pretty normal."

"Wow. A compliment. That's a first."

"And there he is again."

I laughed and saw her mouth twitch with amusement.

"So, what do you say, freckles? Truce?" I held out my hand.

She looked at it for a few moments before placing her in mine. "Truce."

I grinned. "I knew you like me," I winked and she rolled her eyes in response.

Dani

We soon fell into a routine after that. He would pick me up and drive me to work and then drive me home after. He watched me perform every night and after would give me some flirty remark that I secretly loved. Like yesterday, after my set, he came in the backroom and said, "Listening to you sing, is definitely better than sex, freckles," he winked.

I gave him hell for it, even though for some stupid, crazy, reason it made me feel warm all over.

I haven't told him, but the next time he asks me to dinner, I'm going to say yes. I'm probably making a mistake by letting someone in who's in love with someone else, but I knew from the moment he walked through the door that I wanted to take the sadness in his eyes away and this is my chance to do that. It doesn't help that I'm also completely in love with him. Maybe I could make him forget about her. Forget about her enough for him to love me.

I shook my head. This is crazy. I'm crazy.

"Hey my freckled angel," he greeted as he stole a kiss on my cheek.

"Hey," I said.

"You okay?" he asked.

I frowned. "Yeah. Why?"

"Well for the first time, you didn't bite my head of for calling you Freckles and stealing a kiss."

I shrugged.

"You're not sick are you?" He said feeling my head.

"Stop it," I said with a laugh.

"You all ready to go?"

I nodded and grabbed my things.

The drive to my place was a quiet one, which is also a first. I guess I'm just nervous after finally deciding on giving Leo a chance.

A chance to what? I asked myself. I don't even know. I honestly don't know what this is. I'm seriously crazy and insane for even thinking about this. Whatever this is.

"Dani, you sure you're okay?" He asked as he walked me to my door.

I nodded. "I'm sure."

"Are we okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

"You haven't said a single word to me the whole drive here."

"Leo, I'm just tired."

"You sure that's it? Cause if I did something–"

"You didn't."

"Okay. I guess I'll see you Wednesday?"

I nodded, then I frowned. I'm not working the next couple of days, but that doesn't stop him from coming to my place and bugging the hell out of me and he hasn't asked me to dinner yet.

Disappointment filled and just when I turned to opened my door, he called out to me.

"Hey, Freckles!"

"What?"

"Dinner?" He asked with a grin and a hopeful expression on his face.

Just do it, I told myself. Just get it over with and say yes. I opened mouth to say yes, but nothing came out, so I nodded instead and the smile he gave me turned my legs into jello.

"Woo hoo!" He cheered loudly.

"Shh! I've got neighbours, you know!" I said laughing.

"Pick you up tomorrow at seven," he said.

"Okay."

"Night, Freckles," he winked.

"Good night," I said and slipped inside my house.

***

I winced at my sister's loud shriek. I immediately called her on FaceTime to tell her the news and maybe I should have waited until morning with how loud she's shrieking right now.

"Shh! Sam!"

"I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!"

I rolled my eyes.

"So... are you excited?"

I bit my lip.

"You are! Oh its all over your face," she accused.

"Fine. But I'm also nervous and scared."

"Why?"

"Well aside from the fact that I've never done this? I don't know, maybe because it's Leo Cash?"

Sam laughed. "He'd be a fool not to like you."

"It's not jus that, Sam."

"What is it?"

"He admitted that he was in love with some girl who used to be in their band and–"

"Andi? He's in love with Andi?"

"Who's Andi?"

"Andi Henderson. Wife of one of the richest people in the world, Ethan Henderson."

"How the hell do you know these things?"

"How the hell do you not?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Andi is the only one I could think of. I mean you said she used to be in their band and Andi is that girl. There was this whole video of them singing together at a party and it leaked on youtube. That's why I know her. She's an amazing singer. Not as amazing as you, of course."

"Great."

"Look. Don't even worry about her. She's married."

"I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about how he feels."

"Uh-oh. You're in love with him, aren't you?"

"No. Of course not, don't be silly," I denied.

""you're doing that whole face and voice again, so I know you're lying."

"Fine. So I am."

"Then that's all you need to know sis. This is your chance to be happy and by the looks of it and what you've been telling me, he really likes you. He wouldn't be making so much effort is he didn't"

"You think so?"

"I know so."

I smiled. "Thanks Sam."

"You're welcome. Don't forget to tell me all about it tomorrow, okay?"

I nodded. "I will. Love ya. Good night."

"Love you too. Night."

I fell back on my bed with a sigh.

"Oh boy," I muttered.