Hope

.

“I need to leave now. It is a long way from home, and with the rain...”

“You should come stay at my place," Leonard blurted out before he could stop himself.

Her eyes turned to saucers.

He noticed her reaction: “It is okay if you don’t want to." He mentally scolded himself. “I am only suggesting it because it is already 7 p.m. The roads are jammed, and it is a long way from home. The roads are unsafe. They're unsafe for a young girl like you. You could tell your mother that you’re staying over at Mrs. Denver’s place. "I think she would be fine with it,” he kept on rambling. “After all, we are two consenting adults... forget I said consenting,” he said, closing his eyes. “We are adults.”

“It is fine, Leo," she replied with a chuckle.

He heaved a sigh of relief. “It is?”

"Yea," she nodded. “It is really late to go back home." I’ll just call my mother.

He smiled at her and nodded. “Of course"

She took a few steps away from him. Her mother picked her up after a few rings. "Ashley