Chapter 289

The two of them locked eyes for a long moment. Then finally, Broderick smiled at Leslie. His smile was... sweet. Really sweet. Leslie had never seen any guy smile like that-so warm, so clear, so sincere, it made him look practically boyish. That smile reminded her-Broderick was only twenty-three. On a college campus, he'd still be that fresh-faced guy turning heads. The only reason he looked so serious most of the time was because life had forced that on him. It wasn't that he was cold; he just had too much to carry. Leslie, honestly? Got totally sucker-punched by that smile. She dropped her gaze, sneaking a look at him through her lashes. There he was, standing at the base of the tree. There she was, sitting up in the branches. Their eyes met again-it felt like time froze. Broderick held out his hand carefully. "Leslie, come down, okay? Don't be mad anymore. I'll catch you, promise. She didn't touch me. Really. There were two layers of clothing. I even tossed the jacket she touched-I