A Different Reality (Percy Jackson Fanfiction)

Chp 166 - Valentine's pt.II

A/N: Ok, Leo's POV ended up being literally twice what I had planned, but I doubt any of you will complain. About going MIA out of nowhere... Distance makes the heart grows fonder or something? I've been doing online courses and other things, but I haven't completely abandoned you! And I didn't proofread about 80% of it, so expect mistakes. And if some parts feel rushed, they most likely were, it's 1 am but I was determined to publish it before going to sleep. Enjoy it.

Leo's POV

MONDAY, 13th February

It was mid-morning and Leo was already dreaming of lunch.

Hey, do you think it would be awkward if I dropped by the Meunier to have lunch?

It would be if we didn't call them before.

Do you think Ryan will tell us their number?

We can try. If we call now, Mrs. Purr can calculate how much food to make with time to spare.

You're right.

He slid out from under the car to search for Ryan, already planning how to convince his boss. When he finally found the man, he saw someone had beat him to it. And seeing who it was, his heart filled with both dread and longing.

What is Callie doing here?

I don't know, but I somehow doubt it's gonna end well for us. Maybe we should postpone it for five minutes.

Agreed!

Before he could take a step, Ryan noticed him watching and gestured for him to join them. Leo swallowed his protest and obeyed.

So much for stealth...

Once he joined them, he interrupted Ryan before the man could utter a single word.

"Whatever she says I did, I didn't, I swear!"

Ryan seemed confused, but Callie just rolled her eyes. Her hair had grown from the time they'd first met and now, beyond the bright green, he could also see her roots, the warm caramel tone he liked so much.

"I'm not here to accuse you of anything. I came to ask for help."

Leo blinked in surprise.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Nora invites us to her house, Claire says she thinks Piper lost Trish, and now Callie asking for help. What's with girls coming to my work and trying to shock me into silence with words?

Seeing satisfied to see them talking civilly, Ryan left them alone, clapping a hand on Leo's shoulder before disappearing back inside the shop.

Was this a 'nice to have met you' shoulder clap?

"Do you remember Nora's birthday, when Erica baked a cake?"

Leo gave her a haughty look.

"Excuse me? Don't be ignorant; she baked art, not a simple cake."

Callie rolled her eyes, but he thought he could see a tiny smile in the corner of her lips.

"Anyway, somehow word and her number got around – I suspect Nora or her parents having a hand in it – and people we've never met before have been ordering from Erica for the majority of last week. She was doing well, and I took most of her shifts so she could be free. However, the number of orders that came this weekend because of Valentine's was insane, and now she's drowning in it."