Leo

"Sooo..." Aria drawls as we lock up the building the next day. "Do you mind if Scarlett joins us?"

I cross my arms, leaning up against the frame of the entrance. "Who's that?"

Aria gives me her usual look of disbelief. It's not new to me because I've seen it many times from other people. They just can't seem to believe that I've managed to avoid being sucked into social media and all the other cyber norms. I, however, can't understand where the fun in posting pictures and letting everyone know about your life comes from. Or why the number of followers you have matters more than the number of books you've read or hikes you've been on. Where is the fun in documenting every second of your life when it hardly benefits you?

"Scarlett Morton," Aria explains, "is one of my teammates. We were supposed to go out for drinks tonight, but I made up an excuse to get out of it."

A small crease forms between my brows. "And this involves me because...?"

She sighs, slipping the key in her pocket and turning to me. "It involves you because I had the event written down on the calendar app in my phone to act as a reminder, which went off in the locker room today. Inevitably leading to Scarlett finding out that I was bailing on her to make soap with you." Aria pauses, eyeing me carefully. "She wants to meet you, Leo. So...are you cool with her joining us? If not, I can tell her to stay away."

See what I mean? This is exactly why I still have a flip-phone. It guarantees my privacy. No one dares to look at my phone because they see it as an insult to technology have no interest in it whatsoever.

Due to the fact that Mom and Aunty Tenille will be there, helping Aria and I make soap so we don't blow up the kitchen like my dad almost did when he tried to help Aunty Tenille years ago, I'd rather Scarlett not come. That being said, she may help even out the playing field a little more. If Aria has a friend there, who my mom and aunt have never met, it might steer them away from telling Aria embarrassing stories about my life. 

"Sure," I shrug, trying to play it casually. "She can come. I don't mind."

Aria's eyebrows raise in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I reply. "Seriously. It's not a big deal."

"Okay," she nods. "I'll text her and let her know, then. So where are we going? Did you walk here this morning?"

It's Leo's turn to nod, and he jerks his thumb over his shoulder. "I did, but it's not too long of a walk. Maybe about half an hour or so." 

"That works out perfectly," she replies. "Benn dropped me off this morning."

I don't know why she's explaining the fact that Benn dropped her off to me – I was already at work when he did – but I don't complain. Ever since we kissed, it seems as though we've been making pointless small talk. It's enough to drive me certifiably insane because I'm not one for making pointless conversations. However, despite my ignorance against small talk, it seems as though it's the only thing we can come up with. While Aria and I have been friendly with each other, there's a certain sense of awkwardness budding between us. I don't like it. I wanted to put it to stop earlier and tell her that I like her, that, despite my inexperience, I would like to take her out on a date. But I chickened out. Typical Leo. 

I do, however, cut myself a bit of slack. That comment Aria made about me reading being utterly sexy really caught me off-guard. I know what she said after my response of silence was only to cover what she'd originally said up, but I continue to second-guess myself. Was that comment an innuendo and actually directed at me? 

Suppressing a frustrated sigh, I begin to lead Aria to the trail, wishing relationships were as easy as the one my parents had. Perhaps I should have focused a little less on my studies and golf during high school and opened my eyes to gain some experience with women. Maybe then I wouldn't be so unsure of myself. 

Aria and I walk in silence for a brief moment before she breaks it, looping her arm through mine. The bare skin of her arm rubbing against mine creates friction, causing a pleasurable shiver to cascade down my spine. I wonder if she can tell how she makes me feel just by looking at me. I wonder if she knows, as she asks me what's next after the bucket list, how much I enjoy her standing beside me. 

*  *  *

Scarlett doesn't come over until after the four of us have set up the kitchen with all needed equipment for making soap. 

"Guys," Aria says, her timidness showing in the tone of her voice. I don't know why she's so nervous about being around Mom and Aunty Tenille, but it's kind of cute to see the almighty, beautifully strong Aria Madden off her game. "This is Scarlett Morton."

Scarlett gives everyone a small wave, briefly connecting her eyes with Mom and Aunty Tenille before shifting her gaze to mine. Instantly, fear embeds itself into my cells. I know that freaking look. It's the kind of look my mom gets when she's trying to pry the truth out of me when I'm caught in the midst of a lie. I wonder what the hell Aria has told her teammates about me, what she's been implying about our relationship. But then I realize how stupid I sound. Aria would never embellish something so serious. Scarlett has clearly jumped into conclusions and simply thinks Aria and I are dating. My shoulders relax a little with that thought. I can easily diffuse this theory. 

After the introductions are complete, we get started, Mom and Aunty Tenille taking the reins and giving us the run-down on the process of making soap. 

"All in all," Mom says. "Never add water to lye or there will be an explosion. And you don't want to know the consequences of that explosion."

Beside me, I feel Scarlett cringe. Ever since she shook my hand, she's been acting hostile towards me. Okay, maybe not hostile. More like protective. She must really believe that Aria and I are something more then friends. I'm not looking forward to the moment where Scarlett and I are alone and she begins to shoot questions at me one after the other. I suppress a sigh, running a hand through my hair before I grab my safety goggles from the countertop. I have this strange feeling that this predicted moment is going to be inevitable and extremely hard to avoid. 

Slowly, she raises her hand. 

"Scarlett," Aunty Tenille laughs. "We're not in a classroom. You don't need to raise your hand."

"Right," Scarlett replies, clearly not absorbing anything. "Um, what happens if you get lye on your skin?"

Mom, who is within arm's reach of Scarlett, reaches out and pats her on the shoulder. "Medical attention," she replies. "So let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Preventing myself from chuckling is impossible and it earns me a nasty look from Scarlett. I can also feel my mom staring at me, scolding me with a cold look in her green eyes. But when I look at Aria, I see that she has her face tilted down to the tile floor and is fighting with herself, cheeks turning red. Her current state only makes me want to laugh harder, but I managed to gain control of myself. 

I tilt my face to Scarlett's. "Best to listen to my mom," I add. 

Scarlett shoots Aria a look. "Remind me again why I decided to come with you."

Aria shrugs. "Beats me. But by all means, leave if you want to. I can let you know about the process of making soap at tomorrow's training session, yeah?"

Scarlett squints at Aria, and I swear to God the temperature in this kitchen increases by at least five degrees. Something tells me the two of them are very competitive. "No," Scarlett replies, tightening her purple apron that's been stained with years of essential oils and splats of lye. "I'm here. Let's do this. I bet you five bucks my soap will turn out better than yours."

Aria throws her head back, laughing. "Doubt it. You always pick the worst scents when it comes to soaps and candles."

Although this is my first time meeting Scarlett, I'm beginning to like her quite a bit, despite her attitude towards me. I can see why people say they play so well together; their competitive ways are what fuel each other into playing their best. 

"Speaking of scents..." Aunty Tenille says, gesturing to the tray of essential oils. "Pick which one you ladies want and we'll get to it." She reaches out and grabs the peppermint essential oil, tossing it to me. I catch it with ease, smiling as I do. "No doubt the one you'll want, Leo."

I raise it as I would a glass when making a toast. Peppermint oil is about the only one on this countertop that I can handle. All the other ones make me feel sick to my stomach. Especially lavender. I can't stand that smell. 

With great interest, I watch as Aria tentatively picks up each and every small vial, bringing it to her nose and breathing in the scent.

"Christ, Madden," Scarlett says. "How long is this going to take you? We've got shit to do."

Aria rolls her eyes, bringing the lime oil to her nose and taking a deep breath. "For your information, Morton," she begins. "I want to take my time and figure out which scent I prefer. Sure, the lavender you picked out is great and all, but it's not my favourite."

I elbow Scarlett in the ribs. It's a bold move, considering the fact that she could kick my ass in no time flat, but I still do it. As my mom says on a regular basis, there are certain times where I have too much of my dad in me. "She's got a point," I say. 

Scarlett gives me an unimpressed look. "Says the one who chose peppermint."

"I'll have you know," I reply, "that peppermint is refreshing. What the hell is lavender going to do? Burn your scent receptors?

While Scarlett and I argue about which scent is better, I notice that Aria is now having a conversation with my mom about what scent to pick. I catch bits and pieces while I attempt to defend my decision without Scarlett beating me up. 

"Leon," Mom says, her voice slightly hushed. She selects one of the vials and hands it to Aria. "Was always a fan of the orange-vanilla soap I used to make. He said it reminded him of a creamsicle. You'll have to mix both of them, but it's not difficult to do. I can help you, if you'd like. I have the recipe."

Aria glances over at me. And when she sees that I'm already looking at her, she smiles. "That'd be wonderful, Eliza," she replies, her eyes locked with mine. "The orange-vanilla would be absolutely perfect."

I can't prevent a small smile from forming on my lips as my stomach ties itself in a knot. Nobody but Aria and I know about the true meaning behind her words. The only reason we're making soap is to honour my dad. And what better way to do that than using his favourite scent? Part of me wishes I could walk up and hug Aria for being so intuitive, perhaps even kiss her. But the other part of me is filled with something bittersweet. As per usual, I wish my dad could be here and I begin to wonder if my mom and Aunty Tenille would still be selling their soaps at the Farmer's Market if things had played out differently. 

The smile on Aria's lips becomes softer, as does the look in her eyes. My stomach ties itself tighter, the knot making me feel anxious and happy and hot all at the same time. And by the light blush that's spread across Aria's nose, I can tell she feels the same way. 

"Great," Aunty Tenille says, oblivious to the moment Aria and I are having. "Let's get started, then."