Page 7 of Fear of Love (Falling #3)

Over the last few months, we spent countless hours going over the pros and cons if I took the deal. What it would mean for me as well as Josie and my staff. Josie was one of the first people I ever hired, so I valued her opinion the most.

“I take it he wasn't happy with you saying no?” Josie asked.

“Nope. Larry thinks I’m an idiot for not taking it.” I shook my head even if she couldn’t see me.

“It’s your company, Lydia. You can do whatever you think is best. I’m proud of you for sticking with your gut.”

My chest tightened at her words. I didn’t have family I could talk to or tell me that they were proud of me.

“Thanks.” My voice came out soft. The elevator dinged as the doors opened to my floor. I kept my phone to my ear as I walked down the hallway until I got to my apartment. “Hopefully I don’t regret it.”

“You won’t. You’ve worked your ass off to get here, and the magazine shows that,” Josie continued, each word making the back of my eyes burn.

Unlocking my apartment, I slid through the door, shutting and locking it behind me. Feeling uncomfortable with all the praise, I quickly changed the subject.

“Did you need anything?” I asked, averting the conversation back to Josie.

“I did, actually. So…” I didn’t have to see Josie to know she was biting her lip as she worked up the courage to say whatever it was she needed to get out.

“I was supposed to meet up with Landon tomorrow to talk about that kid’s event he’s doing, but Wyatt and I accidentally scheduled our meeting with the flower shop at the same time.

Is there any way you can go to the rink and talk to Landon for me?

” Josie quickly rattled off, barely stopping to take a breath, like she was afraid I’d interrupt her or something.

I paused in the doorway leading to my bedroom. I would rather do anything else than see Landon anytime soon.

“I know it’s so last minute, but it’s the only time Wy can go to the flower shop, and with the wedding just a few weeks before the event…” I bit back a groan. “I know it’s the last thing you want to do, but I promise it’ll only take a few minutes.”

Of course this is just my luck. Another way for the universe to shove Landon and me into a room together. I knew Josie wouldn’t ask unless she really needed my help, and I did have a bit of free time with this month’s issue done, so I really had no excuse not to do it.

“I can email you the questions I was going to ask and—” Josie continued, but I stopped her with a sigh.

“Yeah, fine I’ll do it,” I relented.

“Wait, really?” I almost laughed at the disbelief in her voice.

“I have a bit of free time tomorrow, and it will be a quick trip.” I already knew I was going to regret it, but I couldn’t back out now.

“Thank you!” Josie gushed. “I’ll send the questions right now.

It’s just a few about the event—why he’s doing it, when it’s being held, things like that.

I already have some photos we can use to promote it,” Josie explained, making it sound like a simple job when I knew it wouldn’t be.

Things were never easy when it came to Landon Boone.

“Got it.” Not my first rodeo interviewing someone for the magazine. “I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

“Sounds good! It really means a lot, Lyd. Thank you.”

“Of course.” I brushed off her gratitude. I wasn’t going to be that petty bitch that refused to be around Landon.

We spoke for just another second before saying a quick bye. I stared down at my phone’s black screen with a pit growing in my stomach. Why did I agree to do this? Landon and I didn’t get along. Not for lack of trying on my part.

When we first met, at one of Wyatt’s hockey games, I was nice. I tried talking to the guy only for him to shoot me down every single time. It was like the moment he heard about my job, he wanted nothing to do with me.

My mind flashed back to our friend vacation to Queensland over the summer. It was the first time he wasn’t that much of a dick. He still made his comments and glared at me, but it was tolerable. You’d think a nice relaxing vacation would keep the stick out of his ass, but nope.

I couldn’t help stop the heat rushing to my cheeks as I thought back to certain parts of that trip. Nope, not doing that! I wasn’t going to let myself think about that right now. Not when his words from the other day still ran wild in my head.

Mentally berating myself, I stepped into my bedroom, my pj’s calling my name. I toed off my heels, grabbing and placing them on a shelf in my walk-in closet. Another perk to a nice apartment was the huge space for clothes. Which was perfect since I loved a good shopping spree.

It took little to no time to strip off my work clothes and put on my warm bottoms and an old band tee from uni. Clipping my hair back, I took off my makeup and washed my face. My bathroom counter was littered with different kinds of skin care. You couldn’t have too many skincare products.

With my skin glistening from moisturizer, I went straight to my fridge. My already-opened boxed wine was waiting for me. Pouring a full glass, I popped some leftovers—the dinner of champions—into the microwave. Since I typically worked late, I ordered takeout or meal planned on the weekends.

It wasn’t lost on me that I was a twenty-nine-year-old single woman eating alone in her quiet apartment. Pretty pathetic if I thought too hard about it, but I wasn’t a stranger to being alone.

With food, wine, and my phone in hand, I settled on my couch and turned the TV on. Old reruns of Modern Family played on the screen as I ate in silence. After a long day, this was exactly what I needed.

While I ate and watched my show, my phone buzzed with messages from our group chat. I kept my phone open on my leg as I watched the messages come in. Memes from Mateo, some borderline sexual that prompted Wyatt to respond, followed by teasing from the others.

The chat was chaotic at best, but it encompassed our group as a whole. There was never a dull moment with us, that was for sure. I glanced between the tv and my phone until I saw Landon’s name pop up. I stared at his name as I continued questioning why I agreed to talk to him tomorrow.

My plan was to sit there, ask the questions I needed to, and then leave. Simple and easy. Landon could be as much of an asshole as he wanted, but I was going to keep my cool and ignore him. It couldn’t be that hard… could it?