Christmas Concert: Leah Explains Meeting Mr. Howard was about work but Jason is skeptical (Lust: -25)

Leah **** a smile, trying her best to appear nonchalant.

"Oh, that? Just some paperwork I needed to discuss with him. Nothing serious." She tried to keep her tone casual, hoping to distract Jason from asking further questions.

"Are you sure? You seemed a little tense when you came out." Jason raised an eyebrow, studying her carefully. Leah's heart skipped a beat. She knew she had to tread carefully.

"Well, you know how it is with work sometimes," she replied vaguely. "Just a lot on my plate this year."

"Hmmmm. Yeah." he said awkwardly. The tension was palpable. Each one knowing the other was holding something back.

Leah hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to worry him more than he already was. But she also knew that she had to be sly if she wanted to maintain their relationship.

"I had a quick meeting with him," she replied, trying to sound casual. "Just a work matter, nothing to worry about. One of my parents is giving me hell. You know how it is."

"How do you like the concert so far?" Jason almost added If you were actually listening...

"It's great!" Leah said shifting her position in the busy hall while people moved to and fro talking and eating cookies. "You are so great with the kids. I think it's the best one so far."

"Ha ha thanks." Jason said moving closer to her and guiding her toward a table full of cookies. "We have some pretty good kids this year. Oh nice." he paused to grab a cookie "This one has extra frosting." He bit into it happily.

Leah cringed as she thought exactly what kind of frosting she had just been exposed to from Mr. Howard.

"Oh yes....very tasty." she said with a **** smile.

"What are you doing after the concert?" he asked casually as he munched on a cookie. Leah knew exactly what he was hinting at. Why had she come here anyway? Was it really to support the kids...or to see Jason? Her mind raced.

If she stayed out too late Jonathan might grow suspicious.