Page 34

Landon

“ You have everything you need? Contacts? Glasses? All your girly shit? Birth control?”

Kate smacks playfully at my arm as I toss her bags into the back of the cab.

“Yes, yes, I have it all. It’s not like we’re going that far. It’s only a little over an hour away.”

“Just double checking. That way you can’t say I didn’t.” I cast her my disarming smile. Gets her every time, man. I pull myself in and let the horses run. I never get sick of hearing this baby purr. Or the one next to me. I take her hand in mine, kissing her palm as I leave our lot, cruising down one of the main roads toward the interstate.

We crank up the local country station and drive in companionable silence. It’s been a good few days. She didn’t have any nightmares last night. It absolutely makes me crazy when she wakes screaming, or I hear her mumbling his name. I hate knowing there’s nothing I can do but hold her. It’s definitely good for us to get away.

In two days, we’ll get to nosh on turkey and all the fixings that I know my mom will have on the table. She has no doubt already pulled out family albums and is likely reminiscing with my dad about all the embarrassing kid moments she wants to share with Kate.

My older sister, who lives in Indiana, is even traveling this year with the whole fam to come be with us. Last year, Molly shared Thanksgiving with her husband’s family there. They have two little, rambunctious boys that I just love. Sam is five, and Will is almost two. I wouldn’t doubt Molly and Brian try for one more. She’s always wanted a little girl.

We pull into Kate’s driveway first. Her mom sees us from the kitchen window and runs out with her arms flapping wildly to hug her girl. They’re all happy and smiling, then sniffling and teary as she checks Kate’s face over, remembering what happened just last week.

“Oh, how I’ve missed you! You look better than I’d imagined, thank goodness!” Kate sighs into her mom’s hair.

“I feel better too. Landon has been the best male nurse any girl could wish for.” She winks when her mom’s not looking, and I feel all fuzzy inside.

“I try.” I chuckle and grab her bags from the back. “It’s good to see you Mrs. Morgan,” I say as I’m closing the back cab door, but I am suddenly squeezed tightly by her mom’s ambush of a hug.

“Thank you for taking care of my baby. And stop with that Mrs. Morgan nonsense, it’s Elsie. I’ve missed you too, kiddo.”

I drop the bags gently and give Elsie a quick hug back. I know she needs it, and hey, I won’t turn down a mother’s hug. They’re special, and Elsie has been a huge influence in my life.

“Mom, you’re gonna make him blush,” Kate teases, but the affection in her eyes betrays her. She loves that we get along.

“Alright, alright. Come bring your stuff in and have a snack before you run off to Landon’s. I made cookies, Landon.” My stomach instantly growls like it has ears of its own. Kate and Elsie giggle.

Kate and I drag her stuff upstairs. We packed a few of my things in her bag “in case” I fall asleep over here one night. I plan on it. Walking into her room, she presses a kissed thumb to her dad’s picture, and I’m blasted back with memories. It’s like a whole different life now that we’re together.

I can’t believe how many times I stood in this very spot watching her fix her makeup before heading out somewhere only to be seen as her best friend. How many times I lounged on that bed jamming to music I didn’t much care for just so I could be close to her. How many nights we curled up with popcorn and movies, and I could only dream of leaning in to steal a piece of popcorn from her lips before she could eat it. Countless nights of crawling up that trellis and in through her window to love the girl without being able to love the girl.

A slow grin spreads across my face. Now, I get to love the girl properly anytime I want. And oh, how I want. She notices my smile and flashes one of her own back at me.

“Now what’s that look for?”

“This is the first time we’ve been in this room that I haven’t just been your best friend. I can now kiss you anytime I want. I don’t have to just dream about it anymore.”

Stepping into my arms, she cranes her neck as she slips her arms around mine, and our lips meet with an easy familiarity.

“I hate that I won’t have you in my bed all night long.” I trace that beautiful neck with my fingertips.

“Will you still crawl through my window?” Kate huskily drawls, and I growl low in my throat.

“Will you wait in your bed in nothing but your panties for me?”

“That can be arranged, but we’ll have to be quiet.”

“Fuck, this is better than any fantasy already.” I steal another kiss then regretfully pull back a smidge before my mind clouds any further with sex. Her mom is getting a snack ready for us. That wouldn’t be super awkward or nothing. One more kiss.

“Cookies...” I murmur into her smiling lips and continue my retreat. I smack her ass lightly. “Don’t tempt me, devil woman. Let’s go.” She follows, skipping happily down the stairs.

Kate

So I got to see every available picture of Landon’s cheesy, little, squishy, and utterly adorable face in album after album yesterday.

I shift my weight on the couch today, trying to get comfortable, and tenderness radiates through my lady parts after last night’s late-night visit from Landon. I did as promised and left the window cracked. He nibbled and teased me to death through my lace bikinis after almost tearing them off, but I begged him not to because they are just way too pretty. I fondly smile at the memory of how many times that man brought me to orgasm. Every time I would think I just couldn’t possibly go any longer, he’d command “just one more” in his best growl or gravel, and my traitorous body would obey.

Sensing my thoughts across the table, Landon sends me a sensuous, secret smile as he talks to Sam who is sitting on his lap and eating up all the attention from his uncle.

My ovaries kick at the sight. Landon would be a fantastic father. Molly shimmies into the room with two glasses of sweet red wine and slides one over to me as she sits.

“Oh! It’s so nice to have another woman around to talk to! I’ve been swimming in testosterone and diapers,” Molly exclaims, rolling her eyes and looking Landon’s way. Sam jumps down and runs off to find his grandma for another treat.

“Don’t look at me. Look at him. He did this to you.” Landon hitches his chin toward Brian who is currently bouncing little Will in his arms over by the bay window.

“Yeah, I think I’ll let him do it again. Maybe I’ll finally get my girl. I think I’ll let him start tonight.” She sends me a wicked wink, and Landon’s face pales causing us to burst into a fit of giggles.

“Nope, I’m out! I can’t hear that shit about my sister.”

I swirl the wine in my mouth, appreciating the fruitiness as I contain my glee. That was great. I’ve always enjoyed chatting with Molly. She has always enjoyed toying with her baby brother.

“So, he finally got some balls. I’m glad. We’ve all been waiting years for him to finally bring you home.”

My face must be good because she snorts and takes another healthy sip of her glass.

“Was I seriously the last to suspect anything all these years?” I guffaw, annoyed with myself for being so damn blind all this time.

“Pretty much! He’s followed you around for six very long years like a love-sick puppy with a ball that you just wouldn’t pick up and throw. It’s been fascinating to watch. I might’ve written a psychology paper or two on it while I was in college.”

I take my turn snorting. I can’t believe it.

“Well, as they say, love is blind,” she openly gestures, waving her dainty fingers around.

“But we knew you felt the same way. It was easy for anyone to see. It just took your brain a bit longer to catch up. Well, with all the crap you’ve had on your plate the past few years, it’s not surprising. But now, you can finally focus on your happiness. Love looks good on you two.”

“Yeah, it’s something, that’s for sure,” I say on a sigh with a slow smile. Molly mirrors my own. She gets it.

“Now that butthead just needs to not fuck anything up. I want a sister. And a niece or nephew. Preferably a niece. Get on that.” She stands to go check on her wild child.

I almost spit out my wine. There she is. She never has been one to hold back with her words. She reminds me of Melissa.

We play board games and enjoy frozen pizzas from the oven since tomorrow will be a big morning of cooking with an afternoon and evening full of deliciousness. Bill, Landon’s father, actually hugs me before Landon helps me into my coat to walk me back home. I might’ve teared up a smidge. It’s been a great day.