Chapter 47 Difficult to Fool
Caroline returned to her seat. "What were you two whispering about?"
Erica rested her chin in her hand, one leg dangling playfully in the air, her expression nothing short of mischievous. "Oh, nothing much. Just listening to your boyfriend tell me all about your romantic history."
"As if." Despite her dismissive words, Caroline couldn't help the flicker of guilt that crossed her face. Her eyes darted to Leopold, and only after confirming from his expression that Erica was just messing around did she confidently assert, "We've only known each other for a few days—what history could we possibly have? Look, they're lining up for the lobster again. Are you still hungry?"
"Always."
With Erica successfully distracted by the promise of food, the couple exchanged knowing smiles.
Caroline wasn't so easily sidetracked though. "So, what was that really about?"
Leopold had no intention of hiding anything. "I asked Erica to keep an eye on you."
"Keep an eye on me? What am I, a toddler?" Caroline challenged.
Leopold offered her a perfectly peeled shrimp, his dark eyes intense and tender. What woman could resist being looked at like she was a precious treasure? Caroline froze slightly as he spoke, "When I'm not in Seaside City, she'll make sure no other guy sweeps you off your feet."
His thumb gently brushed her lower lip as he fed her the shrimp. Caroline's ears turned a traitorous shade of pink as she covered her mouth while chewing, mumbling, "We're in public. People will stare."
Leopold's lips curved into a smile. "Don't change the subject. If I find out other men are buzzing around you like flies..."
He raised an eyebrow, leaving the threat deliciously unfinished. Saying more would have seemed ungentlemanly.
Though just saying that much was already pushing it—and he knew it.
Caroline felt unjustly accused. "How is it my fault if men circle around me? Trying to control my social life? That's a little dishonest of you, Leopold."
Leopold never expected to be labeled as controlling and quickly defended himself, "That's harsh. I'm not controlling—just a little possessive at worst."
Caroline laughed. "I didn't say it—you did."
Well played. He'd walked right into that one.
Caroline flashed him an understanding smile. "Who would've thought Mr. Wipere had such a jealous streak?"
"If you're saying that, should I assume there are other men circling you?" Leopold leaned back against his chair with casual confidence, his posture saying: explain yourself, or else.
Caroline didn't take the bait. One simple answer, "No."
"No?"
"No."
"Really none?" Leopold's tone clearly implied something specific.
Caroline remembered Griffin and narrowed her eyes, leaning toward the table. "Don't try to muddy the waters. Professional interactions don't count."
She and Griffin had been former classmates, but they did have professional contact. They'd even appeared in the news together recently—evidence enough.
Though Leopold was wary of Griffin, without proof, he couldn't reasonably claim Griffin was interested in Caroline.
So the topic ended there.
But Caroline wasn't about to let him off the hook. "Since you've made your demands, in the interest of fairness, shouldn't I get to make some of my own?"
Leopold found this amusing. "Making demands already?"
Caroline didn't care what he thought. If he had expectations, he'd better be prepared to give something in return.
"I only have one requirement—you need to be honest. Both emotionally and physically. Complete honesty."
"Any objections?"
Leopold, knowing Caroline's past, understood her boundaries perfectly.
"None whatsoever," he replied with firm conviction.
In a world of casual hookups, real connection had become increasingly rare. Leopold, having found something genuine, intended to treasure it.
"I'm not just playing around with you."
Caroline kept her eyes on her fruit plate. "Don't make promises you can't keep. It'll only come back to bite you."
Leopold opened his mouth to respond, "I—"
Before he could finish, Erica returned triumphantly with a plate of lobster. "I got the very last serving! Tell me that's not the luckiest timing ever."
With his words cut short, Leopold—never one to hide his intentions—caught the hem of Caroline's jacket as they headed upstairs for their massages, making her slow her pace.
"The best security I can offer you is letting everyone know how much I care about you."
Caroline was calmer than he expected. "Okay."
That's it?
Leopold paid for all three of them. As they parted, Erica thanked him and joked that if they went on another date, they wouldn't mind bringing her along.
Leopold, not above a good joke, replied, "As long as Caroline's okay with it. But next time, give Caroline and me more alone time. Otherwise, I'm game."
"Mr. Wipere has class," Erica approved with a nod.
While driving Caroline home, Leopold asked, "When's our next date?"
This one wasn't even over and he was already planning the next?
Caroline turned to look at him slowly, and Leopold laughed. "It's not me being eager—Erica seems pretty invested."
That made Caroline laugh. "If you don't want to bring Erica along, I'll talk to her."
"So you're agreeing to another date," Leopold seized the opportunity. "When?"
"We've barely been together a few days and you're already setting traps for me. Today it's traps, tomorrow who knows what dishonesty," Caroline sighed dramatically. "I clearly shouldn't trust you so easily."
Leopold couldn't defend himself. "I wouldn't dare upset you again."
As they approached the intersection near Caroline's complex, she suggested, "You can pull over here. I'll walk the rest of the way."
They were on the opposite side of the road from her complex, requiring a crosswalk to reach her building.
Leopold didn't stop. "I'll make a U-turn at the light."
After looping around the divider, the car stopped at the complex entrance. Before getting out, Caroline said earnestly:
"Thanks for covering everything today."
"Don't mention it," Leopold replied. "You should consider me one of your own."
"It's not the same," Caroline insisted. The Elysian Spa wasn't cheap, and she knew it. "Erica and I had planned this a week in advance. It wouldn't have been right to cancel last minute."
Leopold shrugged. "The money doesn't matter. I just want to spend more time with you right now."
"I'll keep that in mind for the future," Caroline assured him.
She meant she'd be more mindful about expenses, but Leopold wasn't concerned about the money. Taking his girlfriend out obviously involved spending—that was just normal.
"I'm heading in now," Caroline said. "You should get going too. It's a long drive back to Solstice Mountain, and night driving can be dangerous."
Leopold raised an eyebrow with a soft smile. "Noted."
As he watched Caroline exit the car, just as he was about to drive away, he spotted a man walking toward her from a nearby parking spot, greeting her.
Looking more carefully, he realized it was none other than Griffin—his badminton opponent from before.
Leopold immediately reversed into a parking spot and smoothly got out of the car, heading toward the pair.